Mu Xue and Mu Xue

It was a sunny and breezy day, and Lin Mo was in the classroom, listening intently to Master Ziyuan's explanation of formation techniques and construction methods. He took notes diligently, fearing to miss any important points.

Just then, a hurried figure rushed into the classroom. The man looked anxious, as if he had something urgent to convey. Lin Mo noticed his expression and couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.

As expected, when Master Ziyuan took the letter from the man, her expression instantly darkened. She frowned, a hint of worry in her eyes.

"Master Ziyuan, the academy has held an emergency meeting and requires all academy masters to attend, no matter what they are doing. Please go to the meeting room as soon as possible!" the visitor said, panting.

Master Ziyuan nodded without hesitation: "Okay, I'll be there right away." She turned her head, glanced at Lin Mo and the other classmates, and instructed: "Everyone continue to study the new content I just taught. I have some things to take care of. If you encounter something you don't understand, you can ask Lin Mo." After that, she hurriedly left the classroom.

However, unlike Lin Mo's worries, the other students didn't seem to notice anything unusual, still concentrating on the formation in their hands, as if they didn't feel the coming storm. Perhaps it was because Lin Mo was more sensitive, or perhaps he had been having an ominous premonition recently.

Lin Mo felt an inexplicable tension. He didn't know what this college meeting meant, but he could sense a potential crisis approaching. He secretly made up his mind to protect himself and those around him.

Time passed quickly, and before long, Ziyuan returned to the classroom. However, her face was extremely ugly, as if she had experienced a huge disaster. She told her classmates solemnly: "Recently, several nearby cities, and even some towns, have suffered a large number of invasions by monsters. Although our college staff quickly arrived and successfully defended those cities, there are still many villages and towns that were not protected in time and were destroyed. Therefore, the college meeting decided to let all teachers and students go to designated locations to defend the cities, and before that, each person will be given a one-time life-saving magic weapon. When encountering fatal injuries, this magic weapon will immediately teleport people to a safe area." After saying this, Ziyuan took out a box from her hand, opened it, and found that it was full of rings. She picked up a ring and explained: "This is the Xuanwu Ring. I made it based on the real Xuanwu Ring, the college's treasure. Now, each student, please come up and receive one. Lin Mo, you come and receive one too."

When Lin Mo heard his name, he stood up and walked out of his seat, following Ziyuan outside the classroom. Ziyuan gently patted his shoulder, expressing her understanding of his concern for his sister. Then, she walked into the classroom and continued to distribute life-saving magic weapons.

Lin Mo knew Mu Xue wouldn't let him go on a dangerous mission alone, so he accepted Zi Yuan's advice and returned to the classroom to collect two Black Tortoise Rings. Just then, a disgruntled voice suddenly rang out: "Hey, I've been pissing you off for a while now. Why do you get two and we only get one? Is it because you're class monitor and you're talented that you get two?" It was Yan Liyu who spoke. Lin Mo found this person quite annoying. Everything he did was against him, and his words were particularly harsh. He felt a little annoyed, but he tried to remain calm and ignored him. However, Yan Liyu didn't seem to buy it, and continued his taunting, "Hmph! Don't think that just because Master thinks highly of you, you can do whatever you want!" Lin Mo frowned but remained silent. As Yan Liyu spoke, he reached out to snatch the Black Tortoise Ring from Lin Mo's hand. Lin Mo shook his head helplessly, thinking that this person was being unreasonable. At this moment, Yan Liyu spoke again, "If you're brave enough, let's duel. If you can defeat me, I'll acknowledge your talent!" Hearing this, Lin Mo's face darkened. He knew Yan Liyu was deliberately provoking, seeking to provoke a quarrel. But he didn't want to clash with Yan Liyu at this moment; after all, they faced a greater challenge and crisis. So, he calmly replied, "Yan Liyu, I don't want to fight you. We should unite and face this together. If you truly want to prove your strength, you can wait until we've resolved this crisis." Yan Liyu, however, remained unyielding, sarcastically taunting him, "Hmph, you don't dare, what excuses are there? You're a coward!" Lin Mo's anger surged, but he suppressed it. At this moment, Ziyuan, standing nearby, finally couldn't bear it any longer. She shouted, "Enough!" Her voice was filled with anger and authority. Yan Liyu, startled, quickly glanced at Ziyuan. Ziyuan continued, "What time is it now? And you're still looking for trouble?" Her eyes were filled with disappointment and anger, clearly displeased with Yan Liyu's behavior. Yan Liyu was stunned; he hadn't expected Ziyuan to criticize him so harshly. Normally, this might have fostered mutual growth, but now, he was still doing this. She simply couldn't stand it.

Yan Liyu shut his mouth, not daring to speak again. He hadn't expected Master Ziyuan to get so angry. This was the first time he had seen Master Ziyuan angry. Ziyuan usually treated her students very well. She would teach even the dumbest students with humility, and would punish those who made mistakes with a smile...

After everyone received their Xuanwu Rings and returned to their seats, Ziyuan began to speak: "There have been waves of beasts these past few days, so we'll set off tomorrow! Let's dismiss school early today, so everyone should come to the academy early tomorrow and we'll set off!"

After Lin Mo returned home, he told Mu Xue about the incident, but he didn't mention the Black Tortoise Ring. Mu Xue, however, was adamant, saying, "No! Absolutely not! If you want to go, you must take me with you!" Knowing Mu Xue's personality well, Lin Mo wasn't surprised. He smiled and pulled out two Black Tortoise Rings, then playfully said, "Hey, hey, I knew you'd say that. Take a look at these." Then, Lin Mo unfolded the two Black Tortoise Rings he'd been clutching.

"This was given to us by the academy. According to Master Ziyuan, this Black Tortoise Ring can be useful when our lives are in danger. It can protect us and teleport us to a safe place. Moreover, Master Ziyuan also emphasized that this was made in imitation of the academy's treasure - the real Black Tortoise Ring. Although its power is not as strong as the real Black Tortoise Ring, it has at least one tenth of its power." Lin Mo explained.

After listening to Lin Mo's explanation, Mu Xue had a blank expression on her face, "Wow! It's so rubbish, only one tenth." After she said that, she showed a look of disgust. Although she didn't know what the Black Tortoise Ring was, she knew what one tenth was. When she heard one tenth, she felt it was rubbish and very bad.

After hearing this, Lin Mo immediately retorted, "The Black Tortoise Ring is the academy's treasure! How could it be weak? Even if it's only one-tenth as strong as it is, it should still be very powerful!"

"Have you seen it? What does the real Black Tortoise Ring look like? Is it beautiful? What are its abilities?" Mu Xue's series of questions made Lin Mo dizzy and he didn't know how to answer, because he really had never seen the real Black Tortoise Ring!

Lin Mo scratched his head and said awkwardly, "Uh... well, I've never seen a real Black Tortoise Ring. But since it's called the academy's treasure, it must have some unique features. Also, its specific abilities seem to have always been a secret."

Mu Xue raised an eyebrow and continued to ask, "If even you don't know, then who would know? Is the dean the only one who knows?"

Lin Mo nodded helplessly: "Well, perhaps only the dean knows the secret. After all, this ring is too precious and it is impossible for too many people to know about it."

Mu Xue pouted and muttered, "How mysterious..." Then she asked curiously, "Why is the Black Tortoise Ring called this? Does it have anything to do with turtles?"

Lin Mo smiled and explained, "Actually, the Xuanwu Ring has no direct connection to turtles. Xuanwu is an ancient mythical beast, symbolizing strength and protection. Perhaps that's why the ring was given such a special name."

Mu Xue touched her chin thoughtfully, a trace of longing flashing in her eyes: "It sounds amazing... It would be great if I could see the real Xuanwu Ring."

Lin Mo knocked on Mu Xue's head and said with a doting tone: "What are you thinking about in your little head? That is the treasure of the academy and it will not be shown to others easily. It will only be taken out in an emergency, and the Black Tortoise symbolizes protection. Are you expecting to encounter danger?" After that, Lin Mo gave Mu Xue a cold look.

Mu Xue covered her head which was hurt by the blow, looked at Lin Mo pitifully, pouted her lips, and said unconvincedly: "I'm just curious, I don't really want to be in danger!" Then, she made a naughty face at Lin Mo.

After a while, Mu Xue seemed to have made up her mind. She clenched her fists and said to Lin Mo with a firm face, "Brother, no matter what happens, I must go with you! I believe I have the ability to protect myself, and one more person means more strength!" Lin Mo looked at Mu Xue's determined eyes, knowing that she could not change her decision, so he nodded helplessly, "Okay, but you have to promise me that no matter when and where, you must put your own safety first!" Mu Xue nodded vigorously to show her agreement.

Lin Mo and Mu Xue smiled at each other, their eyes full of trust and support. Then, they held hands tightly, as if promising each other that no matter what awaited them, they would face it together and never give up.

The next morning, before daybreak, Mu Xue and Lin Mo left early for the Martial Arts Academy. On their fingers, they each wore the Xuanwu rings the academy had given them. When they entered the academy, they found a large crowd already gathered. Seeing Mu Xue wasn't surprising; after all, everyone knew she was Lin Mo's younger sister, beautiful and charming, with a sweet voice. Every few days, she'd come to the academy to play all day, so everyone was quite familiar with her.

"Brother, look! Isn't that Yun Yufei?" Mu Xue suddenly shouted excitedly, pointing to the distance and waving to Yun Yufei. Yun Yufei heard Mu Xue's call, turned around, a gentle smile on his face, and waved back at Mu Xue.

At that moment, a voice shattered the silence. "Alright, everyone, stand still. Is Lin Mo here?" Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice, only to see Ziyuan appear before them, her eyes scanning each one. Lin Mo's heart tightened when he heard Master Ziyuan call him again. He quickly raised his hand and shouted, "I'm here." Ziyuan nodded and said sternly, "Take a headcount." Lin Mo didn't dare to delay and immediately set to work, counting Ziyuan's disciples. He carefully counted each one, and after a short while, he finally completed his task. He quickly ran to Ziyuan's side and reported the results: "Twenty-two came today, and five didn't." Ziyuan frowned slightly and snorted coldly, "Hmm, well, there are cowards! Deserters!" She raised her voice for everyone to hear the last four words clearly. Lin Mo and the others were shaken, sensing Ziyuan's anger and disdain for the deserters. Ziyuan continued, "You are all very courageous and ready to die, unlike those five cowards and deserters. Okay! I'll distribute genuine replicas of the Black Tortoise Rings to you to prevent those deserters from absconding with the money. The ones I gave you yesterday were fake. Come forward and claim them." Ziyuan then pulled out an exquisite box from his bosom and gently opened it. Inside was the exact same Black Tortoise Ring from yesterday, but this time the ring exuded a distinctly different aura, as if imbued with some mysterious power.

"Wow! The academy is so cunning! They actually gave everyone fake Black Tortoise Rings, leaving those deserters empty-handed." Mu Xue whispered to Lin Mo. Lin Mo and Mu Xue walked forward and received their Black Tortoise Rings. Lin Mo carefully examined the ring in his hand and found that it was more exquisite than yesterday's, with intricate patterns engraved on it.

"This is the real Black Tortoise Ring..." Lin Mo sighed in his heart.

At this time, Ziyuan said loudly: "This beast tide is very serious. Everyone must be careful. If you encounter danger, immediately activate the power of the Black Tortoise Ring! Remember, come back alive!"

Everyone responded in unison: "Yes!"

"Now I'll tell you about the city you will protect... Lin Mo, Fengshuang City..."

When Lin Mo heard the name, he subconsciously turned around and looked at Mu Xue. He saw that Mu Xue's little hands were tightly clenched in front of her chest. It seemed that she was still very resistant to that "home".