Versatile Mage: Get the Desert Emperor clone at the start

Chapter 143 Totem Black Serpent Shedding Its Skin
Qin Xiaonan returned to Shanghai and went to her apartment first.

The last rays of the setting sun streamed into the apartment through the floor-to-ceiling windows. When Qin Xiaonan pushed open the door, the clinking of keys startled the beautiful figure in the living room.

Mu Nujiao was barefoot and curled up on the sofa reading a book when she heard the noise and immediately turned around.

She was only wearing a silk slip dress, the smooth fabric outlining her graceful curves.

Her still-damp hair, damp from her shower, shimmered with a honey-like sheen in the setting sun.

When she saw that it was Qin Xiaonan returning, her eyes lit up with surprise and joy.

"Is everything going smoothly?" Mu Nujiao quickly came to greet her, the hem of her nightgown swaying gently with her movements, revealing her fair and slender legs.

Qin Xiaonan hung her coat by the door and casually ruffled her still slightly damp hair: "No problem."

Mu Nujiao grabbed his wrist, her eyes sparkling with excitement: "What exactly is that branch you gave me? My cultivation has been advancing by leaps and bounds recently, and I'll be breaking through to the plant element soon!"

A smile appeared on Qin Xiaonan's lips.

The branches and leaves of the Jade Tree, a creature of imperial rank, are indeed a treasure to plant-based mages.

"As long as it works well," he said casually, but his gaze fell on Mu Nujiao's cheeks, which were flushed with excitement.

Before she could ask any further questions, Qin Xiaonan suddenly leaned down and kissed those two soft lips.

Mu Nujiao was slightly taken aback, but did not resist. She then closed her eyes and responded to Qin Xiaonan's sudden kiss.

However, Qin Xiaonan did not go too far. After a brief encounter, she took the initiative to let go of her.

"I'm going to take a shower first." He chuckled and pinched Mu Nujiao's reddened earlobe before turning and walking towards the bathroom.

Behind her came Mu Nujiao's playful, teasing voice: "After spending a few days in the desert, you really should take a good shower."

As night deepened, wisps of steam escaped from the half-open bathroom door.

Mu Nujiao was curled up on the sofa reading a book when she heard footsteps and looked up, the pages of the book slipping from between her knees.

"Now it's all right." Qin Xiaonan snatched the book from her fingers, and a shadow carrying the scent of shower gel descended upon her.

Mu Nujiao's exclamation was muffled between her lips and teeth as the halter top slipped off her shoulder, revealing a curve that made his throat tighten.

"Wait, the curtains." She turned her head to avoid the increasingly out-of-control kiss, but was instead lifted up by the waist.

"It was already closed."

"You—" Mu Nujiao was about to speak when his kiss sealed her lips and tongue.

The smart sensor light by the bed flickered on and off, as if it couldn't keep up with the two of them breathing.

Moonlight streamed between their intertwined shadows...

the next day.

Morning light streamed through the sheer curtains into the bedroom, casting a soft golden glow on the disheveled bedding.

When Qin Xiaonan opened her eyes, she found that Mu Nujiao was still holding her arm under her neck. She was curled up like a satisfied cat, her eyelashes casting dappled shadows in the morning light, and a faint smile on her lips.

A few strands of hair that had fallen last night clung to her smooth shoulders. When Qin Xiaonan gently brushed them aside, her fingertips felt a silky touch.

The digital clock on the bedside table showed just past six o'clock; the whole city was still half-asleep in the morning mist.

He carefully withdrew his arm, but startled the beauty in his arms.

Mu Nujiao mumbled a soft "hmm" in her sleep, then instinctively snuggled closer to him, revealing several ambiguous red marks on her collarbone.

"Want to sleep a little longer?" Qin Xiaonan lowered her voice, her fingers running through her disheveled long hair.
-
After breakfast, Qin Xiaonan went to Qingtian Hunting Grounds alone.

Lingling and Qingning are both there.

Lingling took out her phone, scrolled to a photo, and asked, "Do you know that something happened in Lop Nur after we left? It seems a floating, illusory structure appeared, connected to a demonic empire in Africa." Qin Xiaonan took the phone, seemingly examining it carefully for a moment, and said, "This wasn't happening when I left."

He then turned his gaze to the inner room: "Is Grandpa Bao in?"

After receiving an affirmative reply, he gently knocked on the door of the inner room and pushed it open to enter.

"Grandpa, I want to learn how to forge magical tools," Qin Xiaonan said bluntly. "Do you have any connections?"

Old Bao looked up and sized him up: "Why are you suddenly interested in this?"

"I just want to learn," Qin Xiaonan pulled up a chair and sat down. He had a lot of top-quality materials at his disposal, but he didn't know how to craft magical tools.

Old Man Bao said, "I do know an old fellow whose magic tool forging skills are among the best in the industry. However, he's eccentric and doesn't take on apprentices."

A hint of a smile flashed in Qin Xiaonan's eyes: "Just an introduction will do. As for whether I'll teach you or not," he picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip, "that's up to me."

"Good lad." Old Bao laughed heartily and took out a gold-embossed business card from the drawer.

"Thank you, sir." Qin Xiaonan put away the business card, and as she stood up, a confident smile appeared on her lips.

However, things didn't go as planned. Just as Qin Xiaonan was preparing to devote himself to studying magic tool forging, a phone call disrupted his plans.

When the phone vibrated, the screen displayed the four words "Teacher Tang Yue".

"Teacher Tang Yue?" Qin Xiaonan answered the phone.
Tang Yue's slightly hurried voice came from the other end of the phone: "Qin Xiaonan, where are you now? I need your help with something urgent."

Qin Xiaonan immediately understood—it was probably about the totem snake.

Sure enough, Tang Yue's next words confirmed his guess: "I am like you, I am also a totem guardian, I..."

The totem snake was about to shed its skin, and Tang Yue's first thought for help was naturally Qin Xiaonan, who was also a totem guardian.

"Teacher Tang Yue, you don't need to say anything. I'm in Shanghai now and will be there soon."

Qin Xiaonan did not refuse.

Seeing Qin Xiaonan about to leave again, Mu Nujiao said, "Is there something important this time? Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Wait until you break through to the higher level."

"Then be careful."

When Qin Xiaonan arrived in Hangzhou, a light drizzle was falling on the shores of West Lake.

He walked out of the station with an umbrella and saw Tang Yue waiting by a black car in the distance.

In the rain, she wore a long robe, the slit of which revealed a pair of long, beautiful legs.

As Qin Xiaonan approached, she raised her hand and tucked the rain-dampened strands of hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate and charming face.

"They arrived quite quickly."

"Get in the car." As she turned around, the hem of her cheongsam billowed in an elegant arc, and her high heels splashed tiny water droplets in the puddles.

Qin Xiaonan folded her umbrella and got into the passenger seat. The car was filled with Tang Yue's unique cool fragrance, mixed with the freshness of the rain.

The car drove through the rain, and Tang Yue skillfully steered the wheel while telling Qin Xiaonan about the latest developments of the Totem Serpent.

During the conversation, the vehicle had already entered the West Lake scenic area.

West Lake in the rain has a unique charm. Leifeng Pagoda in the distance is faintly visible in the rain and mist, and countless tiny ripples appear on the lake surface.

Tang Yue parked the car in a spot where two members wearing raincoats were waiting.

(End of this chapter)