After leaving Fang Ning's room, Mu Feng returned to his own quarters.
He closed the door carefully, ensuring no one could disturb him. Only then did he reach into his pocket and take out the pendant he had taken from Mo Fan.
It rested quietly in his palm.
At first glance, it looked utterly ordinary—an old, dusty pendant with a dull surface and worn edges. There were no dazzling runes, no fluctuations of mana, nothing that marked it as special. If tossed into a pile of trinkets, it would never draw a second look.
And yet—
Who would have thought that within this unremarkable object lay something so terrifying?
Mu Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.
The soul of the Azure Dragon.
The leader of the Totem Beasts.
An existence that once stood at the peak of the world.
Mu Feng's voice was calm, steady—yet it carried an unmistakable edge.
"I know you can hear me," he said softly.
"And I know you can understand me."
The pendant lay in his open palm, lifeless and dull. No reaction. No fluctuation.
Mu Feng continued anyway.
"As an existence capable of dragging Mo Fan from a world of science into a world of magic, your soul cannot be completely extinguished. Even fragmented… even sealed… you still exist."
He waited.
Silence.
The room felt heavier, as if something ancient was listening.
Mu Feng's gaze sharpened.
"So let's make a deal."
His fingers slowly curled, not tightening—just enough to remind whatever lay within that it was not free.
"If you respond, we negotiate."
"If you don't…"
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I'll hand you to my grandfather. He'll lock you inside a dimensional prison—layer after layer of curse seals. You'll sleep there for centuries, aware but unable to act."
The pendant remained still.
Mu Feng leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Now tell me, Azure Dragon…"
"What do you want?"
For a heartbeat—nothing happened.
Then—
A faint warmth spread through the pendant.
So subtle it could be mistaken for imagination.
Mu Feng's lips curled into a slow, confident smile.
"Good choice," he said calmly.
He lifted the pendant slightly, his gaze steady.
"Now, let's make a deal."
The room was silent—yet charged.
"Your previous owner is dead," Mu Feng continued. "So how about this—you bind yourself to me. I'll help you revive, restore your strength, and return you to the peak you once stood at."
He paused deliberately.
"In exchange, you will assist me in cultivation… and help me obtain the Ancient King's Robe."
The pendant shuddered in his palm.
A faint vibration ran through it, carrying clear dissatisfaction.
Mu Feng chuckled softly.
"Oh? You're unsatisfied?"
His eyes sharpened, voice lowering.
"Then let me give you one more piece of information."
The air seemed to tighten.
"The ocean is about to invade the land again."
The pendant went completely still.
Mu Feng continued, each word precise and heavy.
"When that happens, the ocean demons will sweep across the continents just like before. You know this future better than anyone."
He leaned forward slightly.
"If you help me, I will help you fight the ocean demons. I will give you a chance to stand against them again and to revive your fallen companions.."
Then his tone turned cold.
"Otherwise… you know what will happen. You'll remain sealed, powerless, watching everything you once protected fall—again."
Silence.
Then—
The pendant erupted in brilliant azure light.
A surge of ancient will poured out, flooding the room. Mu Feng felt something vast brush against his soul—pride, fury, and an unyielding desire to rise again.
The light condensed.
Runes he had never seen before flashed briefly in the air before sinking straight into his chest.
Mu Feng felt it—
A binding.
Not forced.
Not coerced.
A pact.
The pendant dimmed, now warm against his skin, its presence no longer distant but connected—rooted to him.
A deep, resonant voice echoed within his mind, no longer fragmented.
'Then… we walk this path together.'
Mu Feng exhaled slowly, eyes gleaming.
"Good," he said softly.
After that, Mu Feng hung the pendant around his neck.
For once, he did not rush to cultivate.
The night had been too heavy, the events too profound. He allowed himself a single day of rest, lay down on his bed, and soon fell into a deep sleep—his soul still echoing with the presence now bound to him.
The Next Morning
After breakfast, Mu Feng went straight to his grandfather's courtyard.
He knocked once and entered.
Fang Ning looked up, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Why are you here?" he said bluntly.
"You should be focusing on cultivation. You've already wasted an entire week. You should know better than anyone that time is precious."
Mu Feng did not refute him.
"Grandpa," he said calmly, "I need five Servant-level Spirit Essences."
Fang Ning's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Why do you need Spirit Essences?"
Mu Feng reached into his shirt and pulled out the pendant.
The moment Fang Ning saw it, his expression subtly changed.
"This," Mu Feng said, holding it up, "is a Totem Vessel."
Fang Ning's gaze locked onto it.
"A Totem Vessel?" he repeated slowly.
"Yes," Mu Feng nodded. "Its previous owner is dead, so it has bound itself to me. More importantly—it is also a growing cultivation tool. It can increase its buffs by absorbing treasures and Spirit Essences."
He paused for a moment, then added honestly,
"It tried to devour the Spirit Essences stored in my Stardust Cultivation Tool. I stopped it."
The room fell silent.
Fang Ning studied the pendant carefully, his Curse Element stirring faintly as he examined it on a deeper level.
"Are you certain?" he asked. "That this is truly a Totem Vessel?"
"I'm one hundred percent sure," Mu Feng replied without hesitation.
Fang Ning inhaled slowly.
"Then tell me—what kind of Totem Beast is sealed inside? And what level is it at?"
Mu Feng shook his head.
"I don't know its exact species yet. But I'm certain of one thing."
He looked straight at his grandfather.
"It is at least at the False Emperor level."
Silence crashed down like thunder.
Fang Ning stared at him for a long moment before finally letting out a slow breath.
"…False Emperor."
He gave a short, incredulous laugh.
"Xiao Feng," he said quietly, shaking his head, "the surprises you've given me in the past few days exceed everything I've experienced in the last decade."
His eyes gleamed—not with doubt, but with awe.
"Alright," Fang Ning said after a brief pause.
"I'll arrange the Spirit Essences for you. Is there anything else you need?"
Mu Feng nodded.
"Yes. What about the Awakening Stone?"
"I've already instructed someone to deliver it," Fang Ning replied calmly.
"It should arrive by tonight. Now go—you've wasted enough time already."
Mu Feng smiled faintly.
"Understood, Grandpa."
With that, he left the room and returned to his quarters.
Mu Feng's Room
Mu Feng sat cross-legged on the bed and slowly took the pendant out from beneath his shirt. It rested against his palm, warm and faintly alive.
He looked at it seriously.
"I'm going to cultivate now," he said calmly.
"Do not try to absorb the Spirit Essences from my Stardust Cultivation Tool. I'll let you have proper essences tonight."
The pendant vibrated lightly—gentle, controlled—almost like a nod of agreement.
Mu Feng closed his eyes.
With his mind settling and his breathing evening out, he entered meditation once more.
Mana began to circulate.
Stars flickered into existence within his spiritual world.
Mu Feng was immersed in deep cultivation.
Time flowed quietly around him, unnoticed. One star after another flickered steadily within his spiritual world as mana circulated in smooth, disciplined cycles. The pendant resting against his chest remained calm, obedient, absorbing nothing without permission.
Before he realized it, the sky outside had darkened.
Dinner time arrived.
Today, Mu Feng chose not to leave his room. A servant delivered a simple meal, which he finished quickly before returning to meditation once more. His focus was absolute—mind empty, will sharpened.
Then—
A soft vibration broke the silence.
Mu Feng's eyes opened.
His communicator was ringing.
He glanced at it and saw his grandfather's name.
He picked it up immediately.
"Hello, Grandpa. What happened?"
Fang Ning's voice came through, calm but direct.
"The things you requested have arrived. Come to my room."
Mu Feng's eyes lit up slightly.
"Understood. I'm coming."
He ended the call, rose to his feet, and adjusted his robe. Without delay, he left his room and headed straight toward Fang Ning's courtyard.
After reaching the door, Mu Feng knocked once.
"Come in."
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"You didn't come for dinner today," Fang Ning said, glancing at Mu Feng as he entered.
"What were you doing?"
"I was meditating," Mu Feng replied honestly. "I lost track of time."
Fang Ning nodded in approval.
"Good. It seems you're finally taking things seriously."
With a wave of his hand, Fang Ning reached into his dimensional space. Five crystal bottles appeared on the table, each sealed and glowing faintly—Servant-level Spirit Essences. Alongside them floated a transparent Awakening Crystal, flawless and pure.
"These are the items you requested," Fang Ning said calmly.
"Now that the Awakening Crystal is here, you should attempt awakening again."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"If you succeed… you'll become one of the most dangerous magicians of your generation.
If not—then we'll reassess."
Mu Feng nodded without hesitation.
"Understood, Grandpa."
He stepped forward and placed his hand gently on the Awakening Crystal. Closing his eyes, he allowed his consciousness to sink inward, entering his spiritual universe—a realm he was already deeply familiar with.
Stars shimmered around him.
He searched calmly, patiently.
Then—
He saw it.
A moon-white star cluster, pure and tranquil, surrounded by seven stars of the same color, arranged in a perfect formation.
Mu Feng's heart steadied.
Summoning Element.
Relief washed over him.
He withdrew his consciousness and opened his eyes.
"Grandpa," Mu Feng said calmly, "I've awakened the Summoning Element."
Fang Ning's lips curved slightly.
"Summoning… good."
His expression turned serious.
"Remember this—do not tell anyone about it. Not yet. Wait until I give you permission."
"I understand."
Fang Ning gestured toward the Spirit Essences.
"Take these and return to cultivation."
Mu Feng hesitated briefly, then spoke.
"Grandpa… what about Mu He? When will we deal with him?"
Fang Ning's eyes turned cold.
"Tomorrow."
He spoke with absolute certainty.
"Everything is already arranged. Don't worry."
He stood up slowly.
"I'll call you when it's time. Once Mu He is dealt with, we'll take the bow and leave this place."
He looked directly at Mu Feng.
"Now go. Cultivate."
Mu Feng bowed lightly.
"Yes, Grandpa."
With that, he collected the Spirit Essences and left the room—his mind calm, but his future unfolding faster than ever.