Brother Zhu stepped forward, placing a steady hand on my shoulder. "Don't press them too hard yet, Old Mo. These exams are soul-draining. Let the boys breathe."
"Right, right," Mo Jiaxing nodded quickly, though the worry didn't leave his eyes. "You're right. Come, I'll take you guys to get something good to eat. You must be starving after sitting in there for so long."
"Actually, Uncle Mo," I intervened, stepping closer. "Why don't you take Mo Fan home to rest? I have some matters to discuss with Brother Zhu regarding the family business. And Mo Fan..." I glanced at the transmigrator, who looked like he was about to collapse from the sheer weight of his "science-based" failures. "Don't stress about the results too much. I told you, I'll handle the school situation."
Mo Jiaxing looked surprised. "Handle it? Yuzi, what do you mean? The Magic High School entrance is strictly based on—"
"The Li family has its ways, Uncle," I said with a reassuring smile, my voice carrying a quiet confidence. "Mo Fan is like a brother to me. I won't let his potential go to waste just because of one exam. Trust me."
Mo Jiaxing looked between me and his son, a glimmer of profound relief and gratitude shining in his eyes. He knew the weight the Li name carried in Bo City. If the Li family said they would help, it wasn't just a polite gesture—it was a guarantee.
"I... I don't know what to say, Yuzi," Mo Jiaxing stammered, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you. Truly."
"Don't mention it, Uncle. Go on, get some rest."
As Mo Jiaxing led a still-dazed Mo Fan away, Brother Zhu watched them go before turning to me, his voice carried a teasing tone as he smiled and said, "I heard that your Ningxue is coming back to Bo City."
"I know about her but tell me why you are back from Feiniao City and you don't told me that you are coming." I asked in confusion.
The place we chose to establish our base is the Fanxue mountain in original story, Now named Li Mountain. During the establishment we also bought surrounding land and and Feiniao City that is now under Brother Zhu care. Li Mountain and Feiniao City is around 80 miles apart, so brother Zhu stay in Feiniao City most of the time.
"Well, today was your exam day so one of us brother should be here, other four are busy at Li Mountain, so I came back." He explained.
As we walked our way home brother Zhu asked me, "How is your cultivation, did you have any questions about it, if so you can ask me." As he said he held his head High in pride.
I smiled at this and replied, "It's going well, my Summoning, Ice and Fire are all at Intermidiate lv.2. while newly awakened Space Basic lv2, Lightning and Water are at 3."
The pride in Brother Zhu's expression didn't just fade; it shattered. He stumbled over a loose stone on the pavement, nearly losing his footing as he stared at me, his mouth hanging open in a way that would have been comical if his eyes weren't bulging with such sheer disbelief.
"Level... Level 2 Intermediate?" Zhu choked out, his voice cracking. "And Level 3 Basic for the others? Yuzi, you've only been at this for how long?"
I just shrugged, trying to keep a straight face. "I've been diligent. Plus, those mind stones I've been using to cultivate my spiritual level really helped with the control of my newer elements."
Zhu stopped walking entirely, rubbing his temples as if he were trying to prevent a headache from forming. "I came here to give you a lecture on the 'hardships of cultivation' and the 'long road to power.' I was going to tell you stories of how I struggled for months just to connect my first seven stars. And you... you have six elements, and half of them are already knocking on the door of the third tier of the Intermediate level."
"Don't be like that, Brother Zhu," I laughed, patting his arm. "Your experience in managing Feiniao City and handling the logistics of Li Mountain is something I can't learn from a meditation book. Speaking of which, how is the development going? Are the defenses for Li Mountain completed?"
"Oh, it's good. Li Mountain development is completed," Brother Zhu began, his voice taking on a more professional edge. "As for Feiniao City, when we first started the development, some nearby forces started to get restless. After all, it's a prime location near the sea and excellent for developing a shipping port. They wanted to develop it themselves before, but they didn't have enough spare forces to protect it from sea monsters."
He smiled coldly and then continued, "When those vultures saw that someone else was developing it, they wanted to get a share. It was only when all of our Super-level mages showed up with Brother Li Shen that they dropped their wild fantasies—at least for now."
Then, as if remembering something, he spoke again. "Li Shen, Li Wei, and Li Jun broke through to Super level 2, and Li Shen's Space system also reached the Super level without using a Star Sea Vein."
I whistled, genuinely impressed. Breaking through to the Super level in a secondary element—especially one as notoriously difficult as the Space element—without the aid of a Star Sea Celestial Vein was a testament to Li Shen's monstrous talent and sheer willpower.
"Super level 2 across the board for the three of them?" I mused, a sense of security washing over me. "That puts us in a league of our own in this region. No wonder those 'vultures' tucked their tails and ran. Trying to bully a family with that many Super-level mages is just asking for a one-way ticket to the afterlife."
Most of the family in that area are at best second class families like Dali family, they don't have many super level mages. As for Nanrong family, they are already trying their best to stop their own decline.
Zhu nodded, his chest swelling slightly with the collective pride of the family. "Exactly. Between the Li Mountain fortifications and the strength of our brothers, the foundation is unshakable for those families. Feiniao City is already seeing the first wave of merchants looking for safety under our banner."
Once I reached home, I said, "Brother, I am going to sleep for a few hours. I am tired."
"Good, you get some rest. I will take care of Mo Fan's enrollment in Tianlan Magic High School," he said as he walked towards his room.
After that, I headed toward my room, my mind already drifting toward the upcoming awakening ceremony. Mo Fan's dual awakening was the spark that would ignite the future, and I intended to be the one holding the bellows.
To Be Continue....
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