Versatile Mage: Get the Desert Emperor clone at the start

Chapter 185 Putting the truly capable in the right positions
As Qin Xiaonan led Mu Nujiao into the Imperial Academy assembly point, the afternoon sun slanted across the five figures at the entrance to the training ground.

The five men, whose National Government badges gleamed with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight, were the mentors for this National Government training program.

Qin Xiaonan glanced at the other team members who were already lined up, a nonchalant smile playing on her lips.

Mu Nujiao gently squeezed his fingers, her eyes sweeping over the crowd.

The atmosphere inside the venue became subtle with their arrival.

A dozen pairs of eyes turned towards them simultaneously, some probing, some dissatisfied, and even a little hostile.

"Is this the newly appointed official member?" a woman with a beauty mark on her lip said, deliberately making sure everyone around could hear her. "She didn't even have to participate in the selection process, what a big deal."

"I heard even his little girlfriend was just a last-minute replacement." Mu Tingying toyed with the end of her hair, glancing meaningfully at Mu Nujiao. "The Mu family has declined in recent years, but they've managed to climb up a big tree."

Discussions spread through the ranks.

The five mentors exchanged glances, and Dean Songhe, who was in charge, coughed lightly, which barely stopped the whispers in the room.

"Qin Xiaonan, Mu Nujiao," Dean Songhe said calmly, "return to your units."

The group was not enthusiastic about the newly appointed official member or the temporary substitute.

It should be noted that in the past, members of the National Academy were required to be approved by their mentors, but Qin Xiaonan completely skipped this step and became a formal member directly.

It's important to know that each of these team members has considerable influence behind them, and they can only join after passing a rigorous screening process.

Qin Xiaonan's special case led both the mentors and other members to speculate about whose connections she had.

It's actually quite easy to understand. These members of the Nationalist government relied on the power behind them; they themselves didn't have enough influence.

Qin Xiaonan is different. As a totem guardian, after the rescue of Leng Qing, people discovered that he actually had more than one totem beast.

Besides the fox spirit Qing Ning, there was also a flying seven-colored peacock.

This reminds people of the Silver Sky Lord who was defeated by the Black Serpent in Hangzhou, and who died at the hands of the Seven-Colored Peacock.

Two powerful supreme monarch-level totems are worth more than countless super-level mages. Moreover, the totem beasts only obey Qin Xiaonan's orders. In terms of the national leadership, the value of Qin Xiaonan is far greater than that of the representatives elected by various forces.

Given Qin Xiaonan's performance in the ancient capital, securing a spot as a full member is no problem at all.

Mu Nujiao's gaze swept past the crowd and landed on the aloof figure in the corner.

Mu Ningxue stood alone under the shade of a tree, her long, silvery-white hair swaying gently in the breeze, like a proud snow lotus on an icy plain.

Even amidst the hustle and bustle, she still exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.

"Ning Xue!" Mu Nujiao smiled and quickly walked through the crowd.

Mu Ningxue looked up at the sound, a hint of surprise flashing in her icy blue eyes, which quickly turned into a faint smile: "Nu Jiao."

The two smiled at each other. They had gone through hardships together in the desolate city after the academy exchange meeting, and thus formed a certain friendship.

"I never expected to meet you here." Mu Nujiao affectionately took Mu Ningxue's hand; its cool touch was surprisingly reassuring. "After we parted last time, I've been wanting to find a chance to visit you in the capital."

Mu Ningxue shook her head slightly: "Family affairs are complicated."

These few simple words fully express the hardships of these past days.

Her gaze passed over Mu Nujiao and landed on Qin Xiaonan, who was walking slowly towards them. Mu Nujiao understood and turned to take Qin Xiaonan's arm: "Ning Xue, let me introduce you." Her voice softened slightly. "This is Lan Xi's brother, Qin Xiaonan."

Upon learning that he was Lan Xi's brother, Mu Ningxue's chill noticeably subsided.

During their initial training mission in the desolate city, they were saved by Lan Xi; otherwise, they would have fallen into Lu Nian's hands, their fate uncertain.

So, she nodded solemnly to Qin Xiaonan: "Mu Ningxue." A slight ripple appeared in her icy eyes. "Last time, we owed a great debt to Lan Xi."

After exchanging greetings, Qin Xiaonan turned her attention to Mu Tingying.

Since the other party had spoken out of turn and even mocked Mu Nujiao, he naturally wouldn't let it go so easily.

"Some people," Qin Xiaonan said calmly, "obtained their spots by taking advantage of others' misfortunes. Where do they get the audacity to spout such nonsense here?"

This sentence is like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

The team members present all knew the inside story of why Mu Ningxue's spot was taken away, but no one spoke up because of the power of the Mu family.

At this moment, Qin Xiaonan directly pointed it out, and many people showed subtle expressions.

Mu Tingying's face instantly turned deathly pale, then flushed crimson: "You!"

"Who do you think you are, pointing fingers here?"

"Did I say something wrong?" Qin Xiaonan took a step forward. "Your spot should have been Mu Ningxue's. You just got lucky."

Mu Tingying was so angry that she trembled all over, and her carefully styled hair became a bit messy.

Mu Nujiao was not to be outdone and said, "Do you dare to have a match and see if you have the strength to beat me, a substitute?"

After obtaining the branches and leaves of the Emerald Tree, Mu Nujiao's strength increased by leaps and bounds. Her plant magic was no longer what it used to be, and she was no longer afraid of even veteran high-level mages, let alone Mu Tingying.

Mu Tingying was very confident in her abilities, and she hated it when people said she was inferior to Mu Ningxue.

Mu Ningxue was merely a member of a collateral branch; she was only there to help nurture the Ice Crystal Bow, and the Ice Crystal Bow within her would ultimately belong to her.

Even without Mu He's involvement, the final spot would have been hers; Mu He was merely a convenient excuse.

"Shut up!" Mu Tingying interrupted sharply, her hand already glowing with an icy blue light. "A substitute who got in through connections dares to challenge me?"

On the other side, Mu Nujiao was gently flexing her wrists, her eyes brimming with fighting spirit.

Qin Xiaonan reached out and gathered her long, flowing hair, her slender fingers weaving through the silky strands.

His warm breath brushed against Mu Nujiao's earlobe: "Don't give her face. I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

These words brought a lively smile to Mu Nujiao's lips.

She tilted her head, her nose almost touching Qin Xiaonan's cheek: "Don't worry~" Her voice rose playfully at the end, a sly glint in her eyes, "I'll make her lose convincingly."

Dean Songhe, seeing the two men locked in a tense standoff, said, "Nonsense! What kind of decorum is this, having National Team members fight in private!"

"Dean, you're mistaken," Qin Xiaonan said casually, turning around. "It's precisely for the sake of the National Team's reputation that we should place truly capable individuals in the right positions."

(End of this chapter)