The Mighty Mage
Chapter 375: Way To Absorb Shadow Elemental Stone

Chapter 375: Chapter 375: Way To Absorb Shadow Elemental Stone

Wei Changsheng groaned, struggling to stand up, his face red with fury and humiliation. He glared at Gu Jin, his voice trembling with rage.

"You’ll regret this! Bodyguard! Get in here and teach her a lesson!"

From the entrance of the Awakening Center, a tall man in black armor strode in.

His aura was imposing, and his muscles rippled beneath his uniform.

The man glanced at Wei Changsheng sprawled on the floor, then shifted his cold gaze to Gu Jin.

"You dared to harm my master?" the bodyguard growled.

"Apologize and kneel now, or I won’t hold back."

Gu Jin crossed her arms, her face calm but her eyes sharp.

"Your master attacked me first. Maybe you should teach him some manners before lecturing me."

The bodyguard smirked, rolling his shoulders as a fiery aura enveloped his fists.

"Bold words for a girl. Let’s see how long that attitude lasts."

Without warning, he lunged at her, his fist glowing with flames. Gu Jin sidestepped gracefully, her movements precise and unhurried.

With a flick of her wrist, vines burst from the ground, snaking toward the bodyguard.

"Is this it?" he sneered, dodging the vines with ease. "Your plants are no match for me!"

Gu Jin remained unfazed.

As the vines missed their target, they suddenly shifted direction, striking from unexpected angles.

One wrapped around his leg, another around his arm.

He struggled to free himself, but the vines tightened like iron chains.

"Annoying weeds!" he roared, igniting his body in a fiery blaze.

The flames burned through the vines, freeing him, but Gu Jin had already prepared her next move.

Raising her hand, a cloud of greenish mist spread through the air. The bodyguard coughed and staggered as the poison began to affect him.

"What... what is this?" he gasped, his movements slowing.

"A gift," Gu Jin said coldly.

The bodyguard snarled, summoning all his strength to launch a fireball. Gu Jin waved her hand, and a thick wall of thorny vines sprang up, absorbing the attack effortlessly.

"You’re slow," Gu Jin taunted. "And reckless. No wonder you serve someone like him."

Wei Changsheng, still watching from the side, shouted angrily, "How dare you insult me! Bodyguard, finish her off!"

The bodyguard, now visibly weakened, growled, "I’ll crush you!"

But Gu Jin didn’t give him a chance.

More vines erupted from the ground, this time tipped with sharp thorns that glowed faintly with poison.

They slashed at him with precision, leaving cuts that sapped his strength further.

"You talk too much," Gu Jin said, her voice calm but deadly. "It’s time for you to leave."

"You talk too much," Gu Jin said, her voice calm but deadly. "It’s time for you to leave."

With a final gesture, the vines coiled around the bodyguard and hurled him toward Wei Changsheng. The two collided, falling into a heap.

Groaning in pain, Wei Changsheng glared up at Gu Jin. "This... isn’t over!"

Gu Jin stepped closer, her gaze piercing. "Next time, think before you act. I won’t be so kind again."

Gu Jin dusted off her hands and walked calmly to the counter, her expression as composed as ever.

The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, greeted her with a warm smile, though her gaze briefly flicked toward the groaning heap of Wei Changsheng and his bodyguard on the floor.

"Miss Gu, are you all right? That... scene back there was quite something," the receptionist said, her voice tinged with admiration.

"Young Master Wei has been a troublemaker for far too long. It’s refreshing to see someone put him in his place."

Gu Jin gave a small nod, her tone polite but firm.

"I’m fine. Thank you for your concern. Are the elemental stones ready?"

The receptionist’s smile widened, her respect for Gu Jin evident.

"Yes, they are. I must say, your composure is remarkable. Not many would’ve handled that situation so elegantly. Here, let me get them for you."

She reached into a secure compartment behind the counter, retrieving three small, glowing stones.

Each shimmered with a unique hue: the silver-gray of the Space Element, the swirling black and red of the Chaos Element, and the deep purple of the Shadow Element.

They pulsed faintly with energy, as though alive.

The receptionist placed them carefully into a velvet-lined box and handed it to Gu Jin.

"Here you are, Miss Gu. These are the finest stones we have. Please let us know if you need anything else."

Gu Jin accepted the box with a graceful nod. "Thank you. I’ll take good care of them."

As she turned to leave, the receptionist leaned forward slightly, her voice low but laced with satisfaction.

"You should know, Miss Gu, everyone here is tired of Young Master Wei’s antics. It’s about time someone taught him a lesson. We’re all rooting for you."

Gu Jin paused, glancing over her shoulder at the woman.

A faint smile touched her lips.

"I appreciate the support, but I handle situations like these because they need handling, not for applause."

The receptionist’s admiration only deepened at the quiet dignity in Gu Jin’s words.

"Of course, Miss Gu. Have a good day."

Gu Jin had just exited the Awakening Center, her thoughts focused on the elemental stones she carried.

The velvet-lined box was secure in her hands.

The street outside was bustling, the air crisp with the scent of morning dew.

Suddenly, a figure darted out from the crowd, moving with startling speed.

Gu Jin’s instincts kicked in immediately, and she sidestepped with effortless grace.

However, the figure’s intent became clear: its target wasn’t her but the box in her hand.

Before she could fully react, the figure collided with the box, sending it flying from her grasp.

The air seemed to still as the box tumbled end over end, its contents precariously close to spilling.

Gu Jin reached out, her fingers brushing the edge of the box, but the figure was faster.

In a single, fluid motion, it snatched the box from midair and retreated a few paces.

Gu Jin’s sharp gaze zeroed in on the culprit, her expression darkening as recognition set in.

It was none other than Wei Changsheng, the same arrogant young master she had just humiliated inside the Awakening Center.

"Hand it over," Gu Jin demanded, her tone low and dangerous. Her composure was intact, but her eyes gleamed with cold fury.

"This is your last chance to behave. Otherwise, I won’t be polite."

Wei Changsheng sneered, his earlier humiliation clearly fueling his audacity.

"You think you can order me around, you wench? You’re the one who’ll beg before this is over."

With a quick motion, he activated a high-level artifact, a shimmering barrier of golden light materializing around him.

The artifact pulsed with energy, forming a protective cocoon that radiated strength.

Now even if Gu Jin wanted to kill him, she would need more than 30 moves.

Gu Jin’s eyes narrowed.

The artifact was formidable, but her confidence didn’t waver.

"Put it down," she said, her voice as cold as winter steel. "You don’t understand what you’re dealing with."

Wei Changsheng smirked, ignoring her warning.

"What’s there to understand? You’re so desperate for these stones, they must be worth something. Let’s see what happens if I take a little for myself."

With exaggerated nonchalance, he opened the box and plucked out the Shadow Elemental Stone.

The deep purple gem seemed to resist his touch, its energy flickering erratically.

Yet Wei Changsheng held it up triumphantly.

"Stop," Gu Jin said, her tone ice-cold now.

"Don’t make me angry. Otherwise, you will regret it."

"Regret?" Wei Changsheng mocked, his voice dripping with disdain.

"You should be the one regretting. Maybe if you get on your knees and beg, I’ll consider giving it back."

Gu Jin’s expression didn’t falter. "I don’t beg."

Wei Changsheng laughed harshly.

"Suit yourself."

Without another word, he pressed the Shadow Elemental Stone against his chest, attempting to absorb its power.

The moment the stone made contact with him, a surge of dark energy erupted outward.

Shadows coiled around him like living serpents, writhing and twisting as though fighting against his will.

Wei Changsheng’s triumphant grin faltered, replaced by a grimace of pain.

"What’s happening?!" he cried, his voice tinged with panic.

The energy of the stone was volatile, its essence far too complex for someone like Wei Changsheng to handle.

The shadows began to seep into his skin, spreading like an inky web across his body.

His knees buckled as the overwhelming power consumed him, and his barrier flickered dangerously.

Gu Jin stepped forward, her expression cold yet resolute.

"I warned you," she said, her voice calm but laced with a hint of menace.

"The Shadow Element doesn’t submit to arrogance. If you don’t stop now, it will devour you. There is a particular way to absorb the shadow elemental stone."

Wei Changsheng’s eyes widened, fear creeping into his features as he struggled to release the stone.

"Help me!" he gasped, his bravado crumbling.

Gu Jin stood still, her gaze unyielding.

"Do you understand now?" she asked softly. "Power is not something to take lightly."