Song Jie followed Mu Nujiao, noticing her slightly flushed cheeks — she was clearly still affected by their earlier conversation.
"Oh right, Mu Lei mentioned you're also taking the exam for Pearl Institute," Song Jie asked casually, pretending not to know.
Mu Nujiao nodded.
Ever since she had watched Song Jie's match, she had quietly set him as the goal she wanted to surpass.
Song Jie suddenly smiled. "To encourage you to study hard, I'll use your own method to motivate you."
Mu Nujiao blinked in confusion.
Before she could react, Song Jie grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her into his arms.
Caught off guard, Mu Nujiao froze. Her mind went blank, and her heart raced uncontrollably.
"Keep it up," Song Jie whispered softly near her ear.
His warm breath brushed against her skin, making her entire body tingle. Mu Nujiao's face turned crimson.
"I—I'm going back first!" She broke free, turned away shyly, and hurried toward the car parked near the school gate.
Song Jie chuckled to himself. Was she… running away shyly?
Inside the car, Mu Nujiao sat in silence, her earlobes still burning as she recalled the scene.
When he leaned in so close, the warmth of his breath on her ear had made her feel numb and fluttery all at once.
As the car drove through the city lights, she gazed out the window, realizing she had grown to enjoy having Song Jie around — whether it was eating together, chatting, or simply walking side by side.
Back at the dorms, Song Jie found that Mu Lei hadn't returned yet.
He sat on his chair and had just reclined when his phone chimed with a message.
It was from Tang Yue.
Tang Yue: Not bad, Song Jie. I heard you single-handedly defeated two hundred and fifty new students.
Song Jie: Teacher Tang Yue, did you send someone to watch me?
Tang Yue: My colleague's son happens to be in the same year as you. I heard it from him.
Song Jie: Teacher Tang Yue, have you forgotten about the soul seed you promised me? It's been so long…
He even added a "heartless woman" emoji.
Tang Yue: I was planning to help you after you awakened your second element, but since it turned out to be the Summoning Element, that complicates things…
Tang Yue: The Light Element is rare, and Light soul seeds are extremely hard to obtain.
Song Jie frowned. Now that she mentioned it, he realized he'd never heard of anyone possessing a Light Element soul seed.
Tang Yue: I'll do my best to find one. If I get any leads, I'll tell you. Otherwise, if you want a different elemental seed, I can help with that — though with your current resources, you probably don't need it.
Song Jie sighed and accepted her response.
If he could get a Light Element soul seed, his strength would rise significantly.
Tang Yue: Oh, right. I need your help with something.
Song Jie's eyes narrowed. Was this about Chao He?
Song Jie: Is this related to Chao He?
Tang Yue: Exactly. I'm short-handed. Come lend me a hand — it'll be good training for you.
Song Jie: Teacher Tang Yue, you know I have two Summoned Beasts, right? They're expensive to raise to Commander-level, so I really need to save up.
Tang Yue clearly understood what he was hinting at.
Tang Yue: I can help you with one of them. The other is on you.
Song Jie: Thank you for helping me raise my kids! From now on, you're their birth mother!
Tang Yue: Are you trying to take advantage of me?
Song Jie: With a teacher as beautiful as you, who wouldn't want to?
After exchanging a few more playful messages, Tang Yue sent him the time and place to meet.
Song Jie readily agreed.
Although Pearl Institute provided him with generous resources, Dean Xiao had said they were distributed in installments. Song Jie decided to exchange part of those benefits for cultivation time in the Three Step Tower instead.
Money, however, was something he still had to earn himself.
Luckily, he now had a "rich woman" willing to sponsor him!
After all, advancing from Servant-level to Commander-level was a huge leap — requiring auxiliary items, high-grade materials, and even beast blood. Just the costs alone could reach tens of millions!
That wasn't a small sum. Most bounty missions with his Hunter Squad only paid a few hundred thousand — maybe a million for the dangerous ones.
He booked his train ticket for the next morning, then lay down to cultivate.
His Wind Riding Sky Eagle was recovering well after being treated by the healing mages at Pearl Institute — it would be fine after another day or two.
The next morning, Song Jie went to see Jiang Yunming and obtained two bottles of Beast Refining Blood.
He stored them in his system space, knowing they might come in handy during his trip.
By noon, he arrived in Song City. Tang Yue sent him an address — she was in Xishui Town, just as he expected.
Song Jie didn't waste any time and headed there by taxi.
By the time he reached the town, night had already fallen.
He texted Tang Yue again, and she sent him her location — a guesthouse nearby.
Ten minutes later, he arrived and knocked lightly on her door.
"Knock, knock."
The door opened soon after, and there she stood — Tang Yue, her figure outlined perfectly in the dim light.
She was wearing a thin nightgown, the neckline revealing just enough to stir a man's imagination.
"It's hot outside," she said casually, walking toward the window. "Come in, the air conditioner's on."
Song Jie entered, shutting the door behind him, trying not to notice how effortlessly alluring she looked. She's really not guarding herself around me at all…
"Teacher Tang Yue," he said as he stepped closer, "what did you need me for?"
Before she could answer, Tang Yue suddenly turned, tackling him down as her slender finger pressed lightly against his lips.
"Shh."
Song Jie froze, his thoughts spinning — and not just because of her sudden closeness.
Tang Yue's attention, however, was fixed on the opposite building. Someone there had just opened a window.
Only after the window shut again did she exhale and release him.
Realizing the compromising position she was in, Tang Yue's cheeks turned red, and she quickly stood up, straightening her clothes.
"Ahem…" She cleared her throat twice.
Song Jie glanced aside, pretending not to notice — though in truth, he'd already had quite the visual treat.
"Sit on the bed," Tang Yue said finally, her tone all business again.
...
Author's Note:
The first half (completed version) of Versatile Mage: My Magic Has Gone Beyond Limits! is now available on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continued support! 💙