Versatile Mage: Get the Desert Emperor clone at the start

Chapter 181 Returning Home, Mu Nujiao Breakthrough
Han Ji strode forward, his aged face unable to conceal his excitement.

He bowed deeply to Qing Ning with solemn respect, his voice trembling slightly: "Your Excellency's great kindness will be forever etched in the memory of the entire ancient capital!"

"This crisis in the ancient capital is all thanks to young friend Qin."

Qin Xiaonan resolved the sandworm crisis that had caused the greatest harm to the people of the ancient capital, saving many lives. Back then, Qin Xiaonan led Lan Xi against the tide of corpses and charged towards the sandworms. Not long after, the sandworms turned around and helped the mage, starting to attack the undead.

Although Zhu Meng and the others did not know exactly how Qin Xiaonan did it, it proved that he had perfectly solved the sandworm problem.

Qingning intercepted the corpse of the mountain peak, relieving them of immense pressure, and now she has captured Salang.

A look of admiration appeared on his rugged face: "Thanks to your intervention, sir, otherwise this vixen would have escaped, causing endless trouble! I will thank young friend Qin when I have time."

As he spoke, he glared fiercely at Salang, who was bound by specially made anti-magic shackles.

The surrounding military mages could hardly contain their excitement; capturing a cardinal alive was a major blow to the Black Vatican!
Qing Ning covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her light blue cheongsam fluttering slightly in the evening breeze: "It was nothing."

Her eyes flickered as she glanced at the darkening sky. "It's getting late; I should head back."

"Why don't you rest in the ancient capital for a while?" Han Ji quickly urged.

"No need." Qing Ning waved her hand, turned and left.
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At this moment, Qin Xiaonan was about to return to Shanghai with Lan Xi. The clone Soraka handed the rebuilt "Sha Yuan" to the Silverwing Ant Queen and then took Qin Yu'er to continue their sightseeing.

After seeing that the situation in the ancient capital had been settled, the main body did not return, but instead took Lan Xi directly back to the Demon Capital.

Qin Xiaonan had been away from Shanghai for some time now, and he really missed Mu Nujiao.

The afterglow of the setting sun gilded the skyline of Shanghai. Qin Xiaonan stood downstairs in her apartment building, gazing up at the familiar window.

The night view of Shanghai remains as dazzling as ever, with neon lights gradually illuminating the twilight and outlining the silhouette of this city that never sleeps.

The sound of the key turning was particularly clear in the quiet entryway.

Pushing open the door, the room was dimly lit, with only the city lights streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows casting dappled shadows on the wooden floor.

Qin Xiaonan's gaze was instantly drawn to the figure by the window—Mu Nujiao was sitting upright in the halo of moonlight and neon lights, her long black hair cascading down like a waterfall, surrounded by pale green elemental power.

He quietly took off his coat and leaned against the door frame to admire the scene.

At this moment, a crystal-clear jade leaf floated in front of Mu Nujiao. It was the branch of the Emperor-level Jade Tree Venerable that Qin Xiaonan had given her, and Mu Nujiao was using it for meditation and cultivation.

Subsequently, Qin Xiaonan discovered that Mu Nujiao's magical fluctuations had broken through the shackles and reached the level of a high-level mage.

The neon lights outside the window changed colors, casting flickering light and shadow on Mu Nujiao's profile.

Qin Xiaonan unconsciously softened her breathing, afraid of disturbing the tranquil meditation.

After an unknown amount of time, the elemental power surrounding Mu Nujiao began to slowly recede.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she were waking up from a long dream.

The moment she opened her eyes, those emerald-like eyes met Qin Xiaonan's smiling gaze.

"Congratulations on your breakthrough," Qin Xiaonan said.

Mu Nujiao paused for a second, then broke into a bright smile.

She rose, bringing with her a fresh scent of herbs and trees, and in a few steps she stood before Qin Xiaonan: "I've broken through to the advanced level!" Her tone was filled with undisguised joy. "We agreed before that after my breakthrough, you couldn't abandon me."

Qin Xiaonan looked at her slightly reddened eyes, and his heart felt as if it had been gently struck. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of Mu Nujiao's head, inhaling the unique herbal scent in her hair: "Okay, if it's not too dangerous, I'll definitely take you."

The body in her arms stiffened for a moment, then she hugged him back even tighter.

When Mu Nujiao looked up, Qin Xiaonan could see the worry in her expression.

She knew Qin Xiaonan was quite capable, but she had also heard some news about what happened in the ancient capital, so she was naturally worried about his safety.

When their lips touched, Qin Xiaonan could feel Mu Nujiao's rapid heartbeat and her awkward yet passionate response.

The longing that had been building up for days finally burst forth at this moment. He picked her up and carried her toward the bedroom.

Mu Nujiao exclaimed in surprise, then chuckled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Moonlight filtered through the gauze curtains and fell onto the bed. Qin Xiaonan carefully unbuttoned her clothes, revealing skin as smooth and lustrous as the finest mutton fat jade.

When he kissed her, Mu Nujiao trembled all over, and her fingertips unconsciously left several red marks on his back.

"Did you miss me?" Qin Xiaonan whispered in her ear, looking with satisfaction at the blush that instantly appeared on the tips of the ears of the person in her arms.

Mu Nujiao did not answer, but expressed herself through her actions—she flipped over and pinned Qin Xiaonan beneath her, her long hair falling like a curtain, enveloping the two in a private space.

The neon lights outside the window still flickered, but they couldn't compare to the sparkle in her eyes.

As the passion subsided, Mu Nujiao nestled in Qin Xiaonan's arms, her fingertips idly tracing circles on his chest: "Was this...very dangerous?"

Qin Xiaonan caught her mischievous fingers and gently kissed the fingertips: "A close call, but no real harm done."

Mu Nujiao seemed to sense something, suddenly sat up, and looked earnestly into his eyes: "You must take me with you next time."

Under the moonlight, the jade leaf mark between her brows shimmered, making her eyes appear exceptionally bright.

"Okay." He solemnly promised, and pulled the person into his arms again.

This time, Mu Nujiao sighed contentedly and soon fell into a deep sleep amidst his even breathing.

Qin Xiaonan gently stroked her long hair, looked out the window at the gradually brightening sky, and fell asleep.

The next day, as the morning light streamed into the bedroom through the sheer curtains, Qin Xiaonan instinctively reached out to hug herself, only to touch the still-warm bedding.

He opened his sleepy eyes and found that the person next to him was nowhere to be seen, and there was a cup of steaming flower tea on the bedside table.

Qin Xiaonan put on her bathrobe and stepped barefoot onto the warm wooden floor.

As I pushed open the door, the aroma of fried eggs wafted out.

He saw Mu Nujiao sitting curled up on the sofa in front of the French windows, her chin resting on her hand as she stared blankly out the window, lost in thought.

Hearing the noise, Mu Nujiao turned around, her eyes instantly lighting up with a smile: "Come down and eat." She pointed to the dining table, where golden fried eggs, toast, and two glasses of milk were laid out.

Qin Xiaonan walked over to her, bent down and kissed her hair: "It's not a holiday today, is it? Why didn't you go to school?"

Mu Nujiao rose gracefully, the hem of her nightgown tracing a beautiful arc.

He said, "I'm not going today."

(End of this chapter)