"Mo Fan! Mo Fan, it's me—Zhan Kong!" Zhan Kong shouted anxiously.
Mo Fan looked at him, his expression strained, and said, "Instructor, stop shouting. I still have some sanity left."
"..."
Zhan Kong froze for a moment, feeling a little awkward. "How are you feeling now?"
"Terrible," Mo Fan replied bluntly. "I urgently need energy, or I'm afraid I'll lose control!"
Before Zhan Kong could respond, Song Jie interjected from the side, "Mo Fan, don't worry. I'll take good care of Xin Xia for you!"
Mo Fan lifted his head and gave Song Jie a grateful look.
He didn't know what he was about to become—or if he'd ever turn back to normal. If something happened to him, at least with Song Jie's promise, he could be at ease.
"Instructor, I'm out of time," Mo Fan said. The demonic aura inside him suddenly flared, making his control waver.
Without hesitation, he turned and flew toward the distant territory of the Lizard Skull Giant Demon.
Zhan Kong stared after him, unsure of what to do.
"Don't worry about him. He'll be fine," Song Jie said quietly.
Zhan Kong turned toward him in surprise. "How do you know that?"
"Because," Song Jie said calmly, "I've been through something similar."
Zhan Kong suddenly remembered what Song Jie had mentioned once before. Back then, he'd suspected that Lu Nian might target Mo Fan for experimentation, which was why he hadn't pressed further.
"When I was training in Jinshan," Song Jie continued, "someone tried to capture me. In the end, they forced me to use that thing called a blood relic."
"What?!" Zhan Kong's expression darkened. "You also used a blood relic?"
Song Jie nodded. "Yeah. I used their blood relic and... I turned into a demon too."
Zhan Kong's face was heavy with emotion. He hadn't expected Lu Nian's influence to have already reached Song Jie.
"After we return, I'll take you for a full examination," Zhan Kong said seriously.
"I already did one. They said there's nothing wrong with me," Song Jie replied.
"Still," Zhan Kong insisted, "come with me for another. The check-up you had wasn't as professional as ours."
Song Jie could only nod, understanding Zhan Kong's genuine concern.
Zhan Kong sighed in relief. If what Song Jie said was true, then there was still hope for Mo Fan as well.
"Oh, right, Instructor," Song Jie added, "I've captured a few people. Want to see them?"
"Take me there."
The two of them talked about the blood relic as they flew toward where Jiang Yi and the others were being held.
When they arrived, Zhan Kong sighed deeply at the sight before him.
These people had once been protectors of a region—but now, they had fallen so far. Lu Zhenghe, lying nearby, was already dead, blood flowing from all seven orifices.
After a moment, Zhan Kong asked, "By the way, kid, how did you even get here?"
Song Jie replied with a smirk, "Didn't you say before that Mo Fan would be in danger? My girlfriend's also in the training team. You tell me—should I have stayed behind?"
Zhan Kong paused, a mix of surprise and admiration flickering in his eyes.
Then he gave Song Jie a firm pat on the shoulder. "Well done. That's what a man should do."
Song Jie handed over the captured enemies to Zhan Kong, then turned to find Mu Nujiao and the others. On his way back, he also helped Zhao Mingyue return safely.
When he arrived at the old building, Mu Nujiao, Bai Tingting, and the others immediately looked up.
"Song Jie!!"
Song Jie dismissed his Wind Riding Sky Eagle into his Dimensional Space and walked toward them.
They were all deeply grateful—if not for him, they would likely have perished.
"I found the food in your bags," Song Jie said. "Eat something if you're hungry. Rescue should arrive tomorrow. You're all exhausted, so rest. I'll keep watch."
Everyone nodded, opened their packs, and began eating.
After a long, harrowing day of battle and mana exhaustion, they were starving.
As night fell, Jinlin City was swallowed by darkness.
After filling their stomachs, fatigue took over. One by one, they drifted off to sleep inside the building.
Song Jie stood alone on the rooftop, feeling the cool night breeze and keeping a vigilant eye on the surroundings.
Mu Nujiao soon appeared beside him, holding some food. "Song Jie, we've already eaten. This is for you."
He set the food aside, then suddenly pulled her into his arms.
"Song Jie…" Mu Nujiao whispered, wrapping her arms around him tightly. In this moment, her gentle warmth felt like peace itself.
"I don't really feel like eating right now," he murmured against her ear. "What I want to taste is the beauty in front of me."
His hands began to wander.
"Song Jie… the others are still downstairs…" she whispered softly, her face burning red.
"Then that depends on whether you can keep your voice down," Song Jie teased with a grin.
Mu Nujiao's face turned crimson. "Shouldn't it be you who—" she stopped mid-sentence, too embarrassed to continue.
"Understood," Song Jie said with a mischievous smile.
The two figures disappeared into the shadows, and the night air filled with the faint sounds of whispered breaths.
After a long while, Mu Nujiao finally pleaded for mercy.
"Liar," she muttered weakly, punching Song Jie's chest before resting her head against him.
"Who told my Jiao Jiao to be so irresistible?" Song Jie chuckled, brushing her hair aside gently.
After resting together for a bit, Mu Nujiao fixed her clothes, gave him another playful punch, and returned downstairs.
Song Jie stood there smiling, feeling content. He looked up at the moon above, finding it especially beautiful tonight.
Later, in the middle of the night, Song Jie sat cross-legged, cultivating quietly.
Then—he heard soft footsteps coming from the stairwell.
He opened his eyes and turned toward the entrance.
A graceful figure soon appeared, carrying something in her arms.
"Song Jie…"
It was Bai Tingting.
"I'm here," Song Jie said, raising his hand. The dark clouds parted, letting moonlight illuminate the rooftop.
Bai Tingting walked over, holding a blanket.
"I heard Mu Nujiao say she'd bring you a blanket, but she seemed exhausted and fell asleep," Bai Tingting explained softly. "So, I brought one for you. Don't catch a cold tonight."
Song Jie nodded. "Thank you."
"I should be the one thanking you," Bai Tingting said quietly. "You've saved me twice already."
"I'm just the type who likes to play hero," Song Jie said with a grin.
Before he could finish his sentence, Bai Tingting suddenly rose on her toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek—like a dragonfly touching water.
Then, flustered, she turned and left, her voice soft and fleeting behind her.
"Consider it my gratitude… for saving my life."
Song Jie stared after her retreating figure, momentarily speechless.
Isn't repaying a favor usually a lifelong commitment?
Since when did gratitude become so perfunctory?
...
Author's Note:
The first half (completed version more that 320 chapters) of Versatile Mage: My Magic Has Gone Beyond Limits! is now available on Patreon!
🔥 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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