Among Song Jie's three Summoned Beasts, Little Black was the first to break through to the Great General-level, transforming into a mighty black warhorse.
There was really no other way—Little Black's role in the Judgment Association was simply too important.
The Association had been continuously providing him with resources, and now his body was saturated with energy, only able to slowly digest the immense power within.
However, despite the advancement, Little Black wasn't happy at all.
He'd been promised delicious food back in Lin'an, yet he hadn't eaten a single bite since.
Tang Yue noticed the look in Little Black's eyes and frowned slightly.
"Song Jie, doesn't it seem like Little Black's giving me a strange look?"
"It must be your Judgment Association's fault," Song Jie replied immediately. "Just look at how exhausted our Little Black is!"
Tang Yue rolled her eyes, clearly unwilling to argue with him.
"Sister Yue, when will the bounty from two days ago be paid out? My Summoned Beast's starving," Song Jie asked with a pitiful tone.
Since he always called Leng Qing "Elder Sister," Tang Yue had made him start calling her "Sister" as well.
"In two days," Tang Yue replied helplessly. "Little Black's been doing too much lately—helping with all those interrogations. Even the Lingyin Temple Inquisition's budget is under strain."
Just then—
Click!
The door opened, and Leng Qing walked in, carrying a bento box in each hand.
Song Jie instantly stood up with a grin. "Elder Sister! What brings you here?"
Tang Yue shot him a side glance. Eating from both bowls, are you?
"I came to bring you food," Leng Qing said warmly, setting two bento boxes in front of them.
"Elder Sister is the best! You knew I was starving." Song Jie eagerly opened the box, inhaling the aroma. "It smells amazing!"
As he ate, he occasionally glanced at Tang Yue from the corner of his eye.
He had recently realized that Tang Yue didn't like him complimenting Leng Qing—or even mentioning how good she was.
And sure enough—
"Hiss!"
Song Jie suddenly sucked in a sharp breath. Tang Yue had just stepped on his foot under the table.
Leng Qing blinked. "What's wrong?"
"Ah, nothing," Song Jie said quickly, forcing a smile while glaring at Tang Yue, who was now smirking triumphantly.
Just bringing food and he acts like this? she thought angrily. I arranged housing for him and even took him for a medical check-up—and this is how he repays me?
Leng Qing smiled faintly. "By the way, Lingling asked me if you were still here."
"Is something wrong with her?" Song Jie asked immediately.
"Not really," Leng Qing replied. "She just told me to ask when you'll be back in Magic City. She says she's bored to death without you."
Leng Qing's soft smile carried a mature charm that was completely different from Tang Yue's fiery allure.
Two different kinds of beauty—one calm and elegant, the other passionate and bold.
If I can't be a younger brother-in-law, Song Jie mused mischievously, then I'll just have to be an older one.
"I'm busy right now," he said with a grin, "but once I'm back, I'll definitely take Lingling out to have some fun!"
Leng Qing nodded. She trusted Lingling's safety when Song Jie was around.
"Alright, I'll let you two continue," she said, standing up. "I have some work to finish."
"Elder Sister, take care."
"Vice Chief Judge, take care," Tang Yue added, tone a touch cooler.
Later, when Song Jie returned from the Judgment Association, his phone rang.
It was Zhang Xiaohou.
"Brother Jie!" Zhang Xiaohou's voice came through urgently. "I just got word—something's happening at Dongting Lake! I think Brother Fan might be there!"
Song Jie immediately realized what this was—the part of the story where Zhang Xiaohou set out to find Mo Fan.
"You going already?" Song Jie asked.
"Not yet, I'm getting ready to sneak out now. Want to come along?"
Song Jie considered it. This trip was definitely worth it.
When he'd gone to Jinlin City before, he hadn't collected any Essence Orbs, and this was the perfect chance to make up for it.
Plus, there were supposed to be two Commander-level creatures around Dongting Lake—one had dropped a broken Essence Orb, but the other might drop a complete one!
A full Commander-level Essence Orb was worth hundreds of millions of yuan—enough to buy several Galaxy Veins!
The thought alone made Song Jie's eyes gleam.
However, if he went with Zhang Xiaohou, it would be difficult to openly claim the orbs for himself.
"I might go," Song Jie said vaguely. "Let's see how things turn out. You go first."
"Alright!" Zhang Xiaohou replied, then hung up.
After deciding, Song Jie went to inform Tang Yue.
When she opened the door, she was in her pajamas, squinting suspiciously. "What is it now? Don't tell me you ran out of shower gel again?"
Song Jie looked completely serious. "Sister Yue, what happened last time really wasn't intentional. But… if you're still upset, I can take responsibility."
Tang Yue's eyebrow twitched. "Spit it out."
"I might need to take a few days off," he said.
"Leave? Where are you going?"
"Zhang Xiaohou said Mo Fan might be at Dongting Lake, so I want to help look for him."
"Dongting Lake…" Tang Yue repeated, her expression softening. She knew the place was dangerous, but considering his relationship with Mo Fan, she couldn't stop him.
"Be careful," she said gently. "Don't act recklessly. If something's beyond your ability, don't force it—understand?"
"Understood."
"Alright, go then."
Song Jie smiled mischievously. "Since I won't see Sister Yue for a while, wouldn't a goodbye hug be reasonable?"
Tang Yue folded her arms. "You're just trying to take advantage, aren't you?"
"How could that be? Am I that kind of person?" he said with a grin—then promptly reached out to hug her.
Tang Yue swiftly dodged and shut the door in his face.
From outside, Song Jie's muffled voice called, "Sister Yue! If you don't hug me now, you might not get another chance!"
"You little rascal, go back to your room!" Tang Yue called back, leaning against the door—but there was a smile on her face.
She didn't know why, but whenever Song Jie was around, she felt strangely at ease.
As he left, though, she couldn't help feeling a faint sense of loss.
The next morning, Song Jie took the earliest flight to the city closest to Dongting Lake.
He didn't know the area well, so upon arriving in Biyi City, he bought a map.
The trip from Biyi City to Dongting Lake was long, and he'd have to camp in the wilderness.
After buying camping supplies, he set out immediately.
Checking the map, he pointed in the right direction and summoned his Wind Riding Sky Eagle.
"This way!" he said, and the majestic bird soared into the sky.
Song Jie sat on its back, sipping his "happy water" and admiring the view below.
Before long, he noticed a group of people traveling ahead.
He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Li Man? So this is the group searching for the Earth Element Soul Seed?"
Turning to his Sky Eagle, he asked, "Still good to fly?"
The exhausted eagle shook its head weakly.
"How can a manly eagle say he can't?" Song Jie teased. "Fine, I'll buy you two bottles of Liuwei Dihuang Wan next time!"
He looked up at the dimming sky. Since the eagle needed rest, they'd camp for the night.
The hunt for Dongting Lake's secrets would begin tomorrow.
...
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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