Crash!
In the dark cosmos, a shimmering dark blue galactic river suddenly let out a loud rumble, expanding to more than twice its original size.
Water Element—Advanced Level 2 achieved!
The second-tier effect is Sky Collapsing Waterfalls, which could transform the canopy into a water prison to trap enemies. The self-created spell Water Screen Strangling Net derived from it also had its power greatly boosted.
Under the long-term nourishment of the White Tiger Pendant, and with the proper cultivation environment, he had finally broken through.
Lu Jun felt it hadn't been easy. Water was the first element to reach the advanced level. Although he hadn't devoted his full attention to it, it had been over a year, and the progress was commendable.
Just as he was preparing to continue using Dean Xiao's gifted Star River Vein to break through to Space Element Advanced level, the National Team mentors arrived—they were summoning everyone.
In the hotel lobby, five mentors stood together. Dean Xiao smiled at Lu Jun as he walked over.
Feng Li spoke flatly, "Everyone's here, right? Seems like Mu Ningxue is the only one who hasn't reached Advanced level."
He spoke coldly and fairly, "Then Mu Ningxue, pack your things. Come back with us. Very soon, a new teammate will arrive in Japan to join up with you all."
Mo Fan hesitated, wanting to speak up for Mu Ningxue.
But he was held back by Old Zhao, who shook his head and gestured toward the Others most of the members stood idly by, no one willing to speak.
Outside, Japan's uniquely gloomy weather hung low, a light rain falling as Mu Ningxue silently followed the five mentors away.
At that moment, Mo Fan gritted his teeth, suddenly dashed into the rain, and under the misty, fluttering curtain of rain, shouted loudly, "Mentor Feng Li, I voluntarily leave the National Team and will join Mu Ningxue as a National Pavilion Keeper!"
As his words fell, Mu Ningxue turned around, surprised, staring at Mo Fan.
At the same time, the five mentors were visibly stunned. Feng Li sternly said, "Stop messing around!"
Everyone was shocked. Old Zhao had no choice but to step out and persuade, "Mo Fan, don't be impulsive. National Team slots are incredibly precious. You can't just leave when you want, or come back when you feel like it."
But no matter how others tried to persuade him, Mo Fan stood firm.
Mu Ningxue stood in the rain, droplets trailing down her pale cheeks. For a moment, it was unclear whether it was rain or tears. She was moved. At the lowest point in her life, a man had stood up decisively and chosen to stay by her side.
Lu Jun quietly watched this scene, deeply moved. From gifting the Satr River Vein yesterday to quitting the team together today, Mo Fan was truly a real man.
Unfortunately, such a gesture that would make any woman fall... Mu Ningxue only felt gratitude.
Dean Xiao, however, was quite open-minded. He smiled and tried to mediate, saying, "Young people, who thinks about consequences when they act? I believe, with Mo Fan's talent, he'll be able to fight his way back in soon."
Feng Li's iron-green face slightly eased. Even so, he was still very upset. Mo Fan's current standing was different dual-element advanced. If he continued to grow, he would undoubtedly become a team captain-level figure for the National Team in the future.
Yet now he was giving up on himself. Completely irrational.
Lu Jun suddenly said, "Mentors, I'd like to remain in Tokyo's Sea Battle City for a few months to cultivate. This place is especially suitable for me to go into closed-door training."
Upon hearing this, the five mentors each showed different reactions. Feng Li hesitated, then said after some thought, "It's not impossible. In that case, under the premise of retaining your National Team captain status, I approve your departure for independent cultivation."
These words stunned everyone. Mo Fan was dumbfounded. Damn it, such obvious double standards.
There was no helping it. Feng Li allowing it stemmed from two reasons: first, Lu Jun had a very high status, even holding a Hunter Master certification. They believed he could manage his own cultivation progress better than the mentors could guide.
Second, Lu Jun's cultivation level was too high, far beyond the other National Team members, making it extremely difficult to assign suitable training missions. Under such circumstances, separating was better.
The five mentors took Mo Fan and Mu Ningxue away. The results of Elimination Day were finalized some rejoiced, others were disappointed.
The remaining National Team members packed up, waiting for the new teammates to arrive, and soon waved goodbye.
Speaking of which, after the deaths of Zhu Jiming and Lu Yilin, the temporary National Team substitute turned out to be Dongfang Lie!
Truth be told, this person's natural talent was definitely the most underrated in the original story.
Dongfang Lie greeted him, paid his respects, and then cheerfully left with the team.
Everyone departed, leaving only Lu Jun behind.
He didn't hesitate and dove back into his room, one hand holding the diamond-like dazzling Star River Vein, the other gently brushing over the White Tiger Pendant, a Star River Magic Tool.
With the combined power of the two, plus his own Space Element at Intermediate Level 4, and Spirit at the Fifth Realm, his accumulation was deep, and the breakthrough went just as smoothly.
Rumble!
A pure silver radiance rippled around Lu Jun. Space distorted, layered upon layer, as countless pitch-black void rifts emerged, exuding an overwhelming aura of danger.
The next moment, within his spiritual world, a silver star-cloud-like light membrane cracked open. Vast magical energy surged forth, forming into a mighty galaxy. Bits of starlight shimmered the closest star river to an actual star river.
Space Element Advanced Level Achieved!
He clearly felt a kind of feedback from the star river as it reconstructed his body. His spiritual power received a significant boost, but breaking through the barrier to the Sixth Realm still felt out of reach—he lacked the necessary momentum.
Meanwhile, fine silver lines began appearing across his skin, subtly intertwining. This was the enhancement of his space affinity.
Lu Jun already had four elements at the advanced level, along with their respective Elemental Domains. Now with the fifth element advancing, he still had no clue about a domain related to Dimensional Magic.
"Oh well, can't eat a fat man in one bite step by step,"
He muttered to himself, inwardly delighted. With Space reaching Advanced, he could finally control its most overpowered ability: Teleportation. Moreover, the knowledge imparted by Dean Xiao could finally be put to use.
Engraving Space Magic Formations short-distance teleportation arrays were no longer a problem.
The three-tier effect of Space Element Advanced was simple and progressive:
Level 1 could only teleport oneself, the distance tied to spiritual realm;
Level 2 allowed teleportation while carrying others;
Level 3 greatly increased the minimum distance for teleportation.
Afterward, Lu Jun consolidated his progress. He originally planned to buy another Star River Vein to break through Summoning Element to Advanced in one go.
But a strange premonition arose deep in his heart it warned him that recklessly rushing into Summoning Advanced now might lead to failure.
After all, his use of Summoning Magic was even less than Space. Aside from frequent use of Dimensional Summon at Basic level, the Intermediate spell was the only one that hadn't reached Level 4. He hadn't even formed a Life Contract Summon what deep foundation could he possibly have?
He decided to hold off and wait until he could form a contract with a Water Element Holy Spirit.
In the following month or so, Lu Jun remained immovable like a mountain, silently refining his control over stardust, finally mastering the release of Advanced-level Blink with ease.
Additionally, he wasn't in a rush to find a Water Holy Spirit. Instead, he intended to roam the Sea Battle City, using the city's complex war zones and terrain to train himself by relying solely on the Space Element refining his control until Blink became second nature.
After all, spell casting proficiency was one thing, but how to use it was another entirely.
It just so happened that after the National Team left, Japanese attention also faded. He was able to stay hidden, change his identity, and no longer worry about leaking intelligence.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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