Hearing Bai Ling’s words, Moco’s expression clouded with confusion, yet he shook his head and replied, “I don’t know anyone named Oge. All my magical knowledge was taught to me by my master; he took me in when I was just a child.”

Upon hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Bai Ling’s face, but she pressed on, “Then what is your master’s name, and where is he now?” Moco’s expression shifted to one of strangeness. Bai Ling’s question seemed almost foolish; he was nearly a hundred years old, and his master had taken him in when he was merely a child. How could his master possibly still be among the living? Nevertheless, Moco respectfully replied, “My master passed away a long time ago. His name was Blarei. Do you happen to know my master, esteemed one?” Bai Ling merely shook her head, then muttered to herself, “Right. After all this time, how could he still be alive? He never mastered the Art of Dust Sealing; naturally, he wouldn't live that long… alas.”

An infinite sadness seemed laced in Bai Ling’s tone, baffling Mo Han standing behind her, though he refrained from asking. Moco, hearing nothing from Bai Ling, dared not leave on his own initiative.

He simply stood there, neither moving forward nor back, caught in an awkward silence.

Fortunately, Bai Ling’s distraction did not last long; she quickly regained her composure. With her usual icy detachment, she stated blandly, “That is all. There is nothing more for you here. You may go.”

Hearing Bai Ling’s words, Moco was inwardly overjoyed. He quickly bowed in thanks to Bai Ling and hurried back towards the Aoyue Empire’s encampment.

The battle raging below had already ceased the moment Moco unleashed that forbidden spell. Every soldier stood dumbfounded. They had never witnessed magic of such devastating power in their lives, and a primal fear welled up within them.

It was the sheer terror of nature’s might; how could they still possess the morale to fight?

The commanders, seeing this, were equally fearful of being caught in the magic’s destructive wake. The sheer potency of the spell made it clear they could not withstand it; being swept up in it would guarantee catastrophic losses. In such a scenario, the cost would far outweigh any gain, especially given the current state of morale, which was certainly unfit for resuming combat.

Therefore, they all ordered their subordinates to retreat far outside the radius of Moco’s magical influence. As a result, both sides inadvertently gained a temporary period for respite and reorganization.

After dealing with these matters, Bai Ling offered Mo Han a faint smile.

Noticing Mo Han’s perplexed expression, Bai Ling sighed softly and said, “I know you must have countless questions right now. But this isn't the time to discuss them. When the moment is right, I will naturally tell you everything, alright?” With Bai Ling saying so, how could Mo Han possibly refuse? He naturally nodded in agreement. The two returned together to Kith City. As they entered the gates, a contingent of brightly armored soldiers rushed towards them, halting not far from Mo Han and Bai Ling. Immediately following them, the sound of rapid hoofbeats emerged, and a group of people dressed in the formal attire of the Huoyun Empire’s officials and generals swiftly approached Mo Han.

The leader, a middle-aged man in official robes, appraised Mo Han and Bai Ling with sharp, astute eyes. This was Wells, the Lord of Kith City. Wells then dismounted with practiced ease, radiating a ruggedness unique to seasoned soldiers, his entire bearing conveying a sense of sharp competence.

It seemed the Lord of Kith City must have served in the military previously, as such fluid movements were not acquired overnight. Wells executed them with natural grace, suggesting long familiarity.

Wells strode quickly up to Mo Han and Bai Ling, his voice full of gratitude. “Thank you, revered mages, for the aid you rendered outside the city to my Huoyun Empire just now. I am Wells, Lord of Kith City, and I thank you on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of military personnel and citizens of this city. If not for your intervention, I shudder to think what state Kith City would be in now.”

Mo Han felt little surprise at this reception. Given the immense spectacle he and Bai Ling had created outside the city, it would have been strange if Wells showed no reaction. However, Wells’s tone suggested he already knew Mo Han and Bai Ling were not affiliated with the Huoyun Empire.

Still, Mo Han could understand Wells’s immense gratitude.

Given the situation, the Huoyun Empire’s mages had already been defeated by Moco. Had he and Bai Ling not intervened, the morale of the entire Huoyun army would have suffered a crushing blow. The soldiers on the field had clearly witnessed Moco single-handedly routing their mages; such an event would have severely undermined their confidence. In a large-scale conflict, a crisis of confidence can have dire consequences.

Mo Han and Bai Ling had appeared precisely at that moment and defeated Moco. Since the Huoyun soldiers were unaware of their true identities, they naturally presumed Mo Han and Bai Ling were also mages of the Huoyun Empire. This intervention, therefore, had invisibly erased the shadow Moco had cast. This explained Wells’s profound thanks.

Nevertheless, Mo Han maintained a pleasant smile as he replied, “Lord City Lord, you flatter us. It was merely a small gesture, and in truth, we did very little.”

Wells, however, spoke with utter seriousness. “Please, don't be so modest. I, Wells, am not yet completely senile. I, along with the soldiers of the Huoyun Empire, witnessed everything you did clearly. If you are not currently occupied, perhaps you would honor my City Lord’s Manor with your presence? I have already commanded that some refreshments and wine be prepared to properly entertain you and express my heartfelt gratitude.”

Mo Han understood that for Wells to interrupt the flow of military matters during such a critical juncture to extend an invitation, his motives likely extended beyond mere thanks; he probably sought their assistance. Thinking this, Mo Han was about to refuse when Bai Ling preempted him, speaking coolly, “There is no need for ceremony. We have urgent matters to attend to; I fear the City Lord will be disappointed.”

Bai Ling’s meaning was unmistakable. Wells showed no surprise at Bai Ling’s aloof demeanor. After all, mages on this continent enjoyed transcendent status, and those of high power often possessed peculiar temperaments—the more powerful, the stranger their nature. He needed only look at the few mages in his own Kith City as an example.

Furthermore, even if Wells were completely ignorant of magic, he could discern from the formidable power Bai Ling had displayed that her magical prowess was beyond anything he had ever witnessed. He surmised that even Alifer, the Protector Mage of his Xu Yun Empire, might not stand against her. Thus, Wells took no offense at Bai Ling’s coldness, viewing it instead as the expected temperament of a mage of such superior ability.

Wells, however, had misjudged. Bai Ling’s strength surpassed Alifer’s by a vast margin; they were not even on the same level. Perhaps ten Alifers combined could not match Bai Ling. But to Wells, a layman in the magical arts, this distinction was unknown; in his mind, Bai Ling was simply incredibly strong.

With this in mind, Wells could only concede, “Since you two have pressing engagements, I dare not detain you further. However, should you require anything at all, please send word to the City Lord’s Manor. I will exert every effort to fulfill your requests.”

After saying this, Wells hesitated slightly, then asked with a touch of awkwardness, “Forgive my boldness, but might I ask how long you intend to stay in Kith City? While this city may not be the most exquisite place, we do have several interesting sights within the walls. I hope you might stay and enjoy them. If you require a guide, I can arrange for one.”

Although Kith City was under a state of martial law and strict alert, Wells knew these restrictions applied only to ordinary citizens. To a powerhouse like Bai Ling, they were meaningless. Given the strength she had just displayed, if Bai Ling wished to depart, no one in Kith City could possibly stop her.

Seeing a hint of impatience cross Bai Ling’s face, Wells quickly added, “Please forgive my presumption. I merely wish to know when you plan to leave, so that I may have the opportunity to express my gratitude to you properly.”

Mo Han and Bai Ling both understood Wells’s true intentions. He primarily wanted to ascertain when they would depart because, while they remained in the city, there would be no fear of the Aoyue Empire’s mages. Although Kith City possessed its own mages, Wells had just seen that they were no match for Moco. If that situation arose again, the circumstances would be highly disadvantageous.

Leaping to...