"Creak—"
As the door slowly opened, a man in his fifties or sixties appeared before Mu Nianbing.
"Elder Mu Dao, why are you here?" Mu Zhuoyun looked at the man in surprise, unable to hide the confusion on his face.
He had never expected such a prominent figure from the Mu Clan to personally visit their home one day.
And all of this was, without question, because of Nianbing.
"Mu Dao…" Mu Nianbing's eyes flickered slightly. He recognized the man.
Mu Dao wasn't just an elder of the Mu Clan Council—he was also a member of the Highest Tribunal.
As for his character, Nianbing couldn't quite judge him.
But to hold such a position, he couldn't be an entirely despicable man.
Compared to Fan Ning and Mu Fangzhou, Mu Dao was already far better.
"Mu Zhuoyun, the Mu Clan has wronged you this time. I've come to offer our sincerest apologies."
With that, Mu Dao bowed respectfully to Mu Zhuoyun.
Mu Zhuoyun was taken aback.
A core figure of the Mu Clan—a man even patriarchs had to treat with respect—was bowing to him, a mere Mid-Level Mage.
"Elder Mu Dao, please, there's no need for this. I can't possibly accept it," Mu Zhuoyun replied calmly.
To think that a simple bow could erase the injustice he and his family had suffered—what a joke.
Mu Dao didn't press the matter. Instead, his eyes turned toward Mu Nianbing.
"This must be this year's National Team Captain, Mu Nianbing, correct? I've heard of your heroic deeds during the Ancient Capital calamity. Truly remarkable courage."
He spoke with an air of sincerity, his gaze steady.
The Mu Clan, as the largest aristocratic family in the country, was divided into several factions.
The most dominant faction was led by Fan Ning and Mu Fangzhou—but Mu Dao had his own independent influence.
"Heh, just empty fame. Nothing worth mentioning," Nianbing replied indifferently.
Whether Mu Dao was one of the few decent people in the Mu Clan or not had nothing to do with him.
The clan's foundation was already rotten.
A place that could even develop evil arts capable of stealing another's talent was no better than the Black Vatican.
There was no way he would ever join such a clan.
Doing so would ruin everything he'd built.
Seeing how calm and composed Nianbing remained, a flicker of surprise crossed Mu Dao's eyes.
"My purpose for coming here is simple—I wish to invite you to join the Mu Clan, just as Mu Ningxue has."
Mu Dao dropped the polite pretense and stated his true intent directly.
"There's no need to say more," Nianbing said flatly.
"It's impossible for me to join the Mu Clan. From today onward, everyone in the Mu Family has no connection to you whatsoever."
His words left no room for negotiation, and Mu Dao was momentarily stunned.
As the foremost aristocratic family of the nation, countless young mages dreamed of joining their ranks.
Yet this young man rejected his personal invitation without a hint of hesitation.
"The previous decisions were made by certain individuals in the family, not by all of us," Mu Dao explained, trying to reason with him.
"If you join, the Mu Clan will provide every resource to help you reach the Super Level as soon as possible."
For most mages, this would be an irresistible temptation. The difference between an Advanced Mage and a Super Mage was an unbridgeable chasm.
"I don't want to repeat myself," Nianbing said coldly. "You're wasting your breath."
He knew very well that joining the Mu Clan meant placing himself directly in the crosshairs of Fan Ning and Mu Fangzhou.
Even though his blessing wasn't a talent that could be stolen, they didn't know that.
In their eyes, he possessed an ability even more terrifying than the Ice Phoenix Maiden or the Ice Luan User.
Even if he could protect himself, Mu Zhuoyun, Mu Ningxue, and others around him would become their leverage.
People capable of creating an art that plundered another's talent clearly had no moral boundaries.
Mu Dao fell silent. He could tell that Nianbing's hatred for the Mu Clan wasn't just because they had expelled his family—it ran deeper than that.
He turned to Mu Zhuoyun for support, but the older man deliberately looked away.
"Nianbing, you still bear the Mu surname. That is an unchangeable fact," Mu Dao tried again, unwilling to give up.
Hearing this, Nianbing couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"You're old, Elder Mu Dao, yet you say such childish things. Just because I'm surnamed Mu, I have to join your clan? Then why not merge the Mu Clan under my name instead?"
The words hit like a thunderclap.
Both Mu Dao and Mu Zhuoyun were stunned.
Mu Dao ignored the sarcasm—but within Nianbing's tone, he sensed an ambition that sent chills down his spine.
Even if it sounded like a joke, he couldn't shake the feeling that Nianbing truly meant it.
And he had no rebuttal.
After all, whether to join or not was indeed Nianbing's choice.
"Alas…" Mu Dao sighed deeply.
A strange premonition stirred within him—one that even he found absurd.
The fate of the Mu Clan might one day change because of this young man.
Though Nianbing was only an Advanced Mage now, his potential was immeasurable.
And he wasn't alone—he already had allies strong enough to make him the National Team Captain.
Losing Nianbing was already a mistake.
Losing Mu Ningxue, a natural spirit seed possessor, made it a catastrophe.
"Whenever you change your mind, the Mu Clan will always welcome you," Mu Dao said finally, his tone filled with regret.
With that, he left the Mu Family villa—his expression dark with disappointment.
Before arriving, he'd thought there was at least a seventy or eighty percent chance of success.
He hadn't expected Nianbing to reject him outright.
After Mu Dao's departure, Mu Zhuoyun turned to Nianbing, his expression complex.
"Nianbing, what are your plans next?" he asked solemnly.
"Uncle Yun, I want you all to move to Magic City," Nianbing replied. "After the World School Tournament, I plan to establish a force of my own."
Mu Zhuoyun blinked, momentarily taken aback—then nodded in relief.
"Living under someone else's roof is never comfortable," he said with a rare smile. "Establishing your own power is a good idea. I support you."
He had thought it through. Compared to living as subordinates of the Mu Clan, their days in Bo City had been much freer.
And with Nianbing's talent, once the World School Tournament concluded, his strength would undoubtedly reach new heights.
It might not rival the great powers right away, but with time and steady growth—who knew how far they could go?
"Thank you, Uncle Yun," Nianbing said softly, smiling.
As long as Mu Zhuoyun supported him, there was no need to convince anyone else in the Mu Family.
...
Author's Note:
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