Song Jie and Mo Fan followed Mu Zhuoyun into the elevator. Soon, they arrived at the underground chamber.
Mo Fan glanced at Song Jie. He had originally thought that after entering the Holy Spring for cultivation, he would finally be able to surpass him.
But he didn't expect Song Jie to also have a spot to enter the Holy Spring!
That meant the gap between them would not widen at all!
"Song Jie, I heard that your Light Element has already reached the third level. Once you enter, make good use of your time. Try to break through to the Intermediate Level," Mu Zhuoyun said with a smile.
He didn't even look at Mo Fan. After all, the two of them still had unresolved grudges.
A group of guards soon appeared ahead.
"You two must be Song Jie and Mo Fan—the ones approved to enter the Holy Spring?" asked the guard captain, Liang Bin.
"Yes," the two replied in unison.
"Follow me."
Liang Bin led them to a large metal door and explained, "Once you go inside, you'll have seven days to cultivate. After that, we'll come to take you out."
"Understood," both said.
As the heavy door slowly closed behind them, the air inside shimmered faintly with pure spiritual energy.
Song Jie turned to Mo Fan and took out four purple-red scrolls from his coat pocket.
"What's that?" Mo Fan asked curiously.
"This is a Star Map Book. Teacher Tang Yue asked me to bring it to you," Song Jie explained.
Mo Fan was startled. "A Star Map Book?"
Song Jie nodded. "It's usually used by newly advanced Intermediate Mages who haven't yet mastered control over the forty-nine stars required for Intermediate Magic.
With this, even if you can't fully control the stars yet, you can still release Intermediate Magic—though overuse makes future control harder."
"I see." Mo Fan nodded, his eyes bright with gratitude. "Teacher Tang Yue really went out of her way for me."
Song Jie smiled faintly. In his bag was another scroll—a golden Star Map Book for the Light Element, also gifted by Tang Yue.
Even without mastering all forty-nine stars, he could now cast Intermediate Light Magic.
"Let's get started," Song Jie said, sitting cross-legged on the ground.
Mo Fan nodded and chose a spot nearby. Both quickly entered meditation.
Bo City
The rain outside grew heavier and darker.
Zhan Kong and Tang Yue had stayed up all night, waiting for laboratory results.
"There's definitely a problem with this rainwater," Zhan Kong said grimly, examining the report. "Its composition is almost identical to the contaminated spring water we collected earlier."
"You mean the spring water that drives demons berserk?" Tang Yue's expression turned serious. She had participated in the previous investigation and knew exactly what that meant.
"Yes," Zhan Kong said, his eyes narrowing. "Rainwater doesn't become like this on its own. Someone must be behind it."
"The Black Vatican?" Tang Yue's tone sharpened instantly.
"Most likely!" Zhan Kong replied, his voice heavy. "If this rain has the same properties as that spring water… then the demons outside the city will soon—"
He didn't finish. The thought alone was terrifying.
"If that's the case, we need to alert the Magic Association and Hunter Union immediately. The residents must be moved into the safe barrier!" Tang Yue ordered.
"I'll handle the outer perimeter. You handle the evacuation!" Zhan Kong said firmly.
Tang Yue nodded and rushed to contact the upper levels of Bo City's Magic Association and Hunter Union.
Zhan Kong, meanwhile, sped toward the outskirts. This was going to be a brutal battle—they had to buy time for Bo City's people to escape.
Holy Spring
On the second day of cultivation, Song Jie successfully broke through to the Intermediate Level.
The Intermediate Light Magic was primarily defensive—a perfect safeguard for future battles.
But soon after, the bronze bracelet on his wrist began to emit a strange vibration, as if eager to absorb the Holy Spring's power.
"Don't tell me… this bracelet is the same kind of cheat item as Mo Fan's pendant?" Song Jie muttered in disbelief.
He suppressed the thought and refocused. He still needed the Holy Spring's energy for training.
Here, one hour of cultivation equaled three days outside—and with his additional magic artifacts, Song Jie's efficiency was even greater.
With five full days remaining, he and Mo Fan could achieve months of progress in mere days.
Time flew. On the fifth day, Song Jie had nearly reached the second stage of Intermediate Light Magic and managed to control about a quarter of the forty-nine stars.
"Come on, absorb faster," he urged in his heart. He turned his head slightly—Mo Fan was also doing something discreetly. They both knew what the other was up to.
The bracelet pulsed brighter as it absorbed the Holy Spring's essence.
After an unknown amount of time, the massive stone gate suddenly rumbled open.
Mo Fan blinked, startled. "It's time already?"
Song Jie stood up as well. They stepped toward the exit.
But outside the gate—the guards were all dead.
Their bodies were mutilated and scattered across the ground.
"What happened here…" Mo Fan muttered, frowning.
Song Jie scanned the area and spotted the uniforms. "Military Magicians? Did Chief Instructor Zhan Kong send reinforcements?"
That meant Zhan Kong and Tang Yue had probably figured out the truth. If so, Bo City might not suffer the same tragic fate this time.
Still, something was off. He remembered that the female guard, Lin Yuxin, should have appeared by now—but she was nowhere to be seen.
"ROAR!!!"
A thunderous sound shook the chamber. A massive figure emerged from the darkness—its red eyes filled with killing intent.
"This is… a Blood Vein Demon Rat!" Mo Fan recognized it instantly. "A Commander-level monster!"
Song Jie's face tightened. There was no one else nearby—they couldn't win this head-on.
"Mo Fan, get back inside, now!" Song Jie shouted.
Mo Fan reacted immediately and sprinted back toward the gate.
Song Jie slammed his palm against the switch—the heavy door began to close slowly.
But the Demon Rat had already locked onto them, charging at terrifying speed!
"Why is this door closing so damn slow?!" Mo Fan shouted, panic flashing across his face.
Even as newly advanced Intermediate Mages, they had no chance against a creature of that level!