Chapter 72: Let Go of That Witch

Mana Source: Passive attribute talent. Mana recovery speed increases by 10%. When mana drops below 10% and HP is above 50%, the portion of HP exceeding 50% can be converted into mana for use.

Up to this point in the battle, Lin Xiao had lost only a small amount of HP—mostly from the backlash when he struck the brat earlier. As the three uses of Holy Light depleted his mana to 10%, the Mana Source activated automatically.

In an instant, 250 points of HP were transformed into MP, enough to cast the Summon Lightning spell.

He extended his hand toward the black shadow, gathering mana in his palm. Under Lin Xiao's mental control, a spell of Summon Lightning formed. The thunderous force surged, descending upon the shadow overhead.

Sensing the imminent force of destruction, the black phantom struggled violently, like a trapped shark churning the waters in turmoil.

Zoe gripped her staff with both hands, desperately maintaining the binding spell. Her face was frighteningly pale, clearly at her limit and barely holding on.

But it was enough!

A white thunder serpent, fierce and wild, shot down from above the shadow’s head, striking the struggling form with a mighty blow. The vast, masculine power of thunder, like the birth of a new sun, swept away all evil.

The heavens thundered, and demons scattered.

Boom!

A deafening roar erupted, shaking the entire villa violently. The successive thunderclaps finally brought down the steel-and-concrete structure.

Ding! Congratulations, Host, for slaying a Lesser Demon’s projection. Source Power +100.

Ding! The system has extracted the projection power of the Lesser Demon. Your LV1 skill, Demon’s Hand, has been refined by demonic power and upgraded to LV2 Mastery.
LV2 Mastery Special Skill: Devil’s Left Hand—converts internal mana into dark attribute, infusing it into the left hand, extendable up to five meters. Deals extra dark attribute damage to enemies and possesses armor-piercing effects, able to resist most damage below level 10. Consumes 10 mana per second.

Lin Xiao had no time to check the system notifications. The villa was about to collapse; chunks of debris fell from the ceiling, threatening to bury them.

He stowed away the Star Destroyer Axe, scooped the brat from the floor in one arm, and supported the limp Zoe with the other, braving falling fixtures as he rushed toward the door.

Inside the hall, the bodyguards hired by Mrs. Berham had long fled. The couple themselves were at a loss—neither fleeing nor staying seemed right—when they saw Lin Xiao carrying the child out. Flustered, they followed close behind.

As they raced out, a thunderous crash resounded. The grand villa fractured from its foundations, toppling with a roar into ruins, dust billowing.

The Berham couple hurried over to receive their child, while Lin Xiao supported Zoe. The witch’s face was as white as snow, her body weak, barely able to stand—her strength completely spent.

“Hani! Hani!”

At their call, the little boy slowly awoke, opened his eyes—no longer wild or frenzied—and said weakly,

“Mommy, Daddy.”

Seeing their son finally restored to normal, the Berham couple wept with joy, embracing him as they thanked Lin Xiao and Zoe.

“Don’t mention it, but I’m not helping you for free. By next week, I expect to see my yacht on Campus Lake. Don’t skimp—make sure it’s worth at least fifty thousand dollars.

Originally, I intended to ask for one valued at over a hundred thousand, but since you’re homeless now, I’ll be reasonable. A fifty-thousand-dollar yacht will do as payment.”

Lin Xiao raised a hand as he spoke. The Berham couple agreed without hesitation, promising a genuine yacht.

“And another thing—children aren’t raised the way you do. Pampering breeds trouble. When discipline is needed, you mustn’t be soft.

If you don’t discipline him today, the lesson he receives tomorrow won’t be so easy to bear. The consequences will be like your villa—the foundation wasn’t solid, so the house was bound to collapse.”

In his arms, Zoe burst into laughter. This guy destroys their house and then uses it as an example—how shameless can one be?

Lin Xiao chuckled, supporting Zoe as they headed home. As for whether the Berham couple would pay up, he felt their intelligence should be enough to understand the consequences if they didn’t.

“You really are a master of extortion. When we help with exorcisms, we usually charge a few thousand, maybe ten thousand at most. But you just went straight for a yacht.”

Zoe shook her head, too exhausted to take another step.

Lin Xiao simply carried her in a princess hold. She wasn’t light; Westerners had bigger frames, and she was about five-foot-five—not exactly delicate.

Zoe’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t object. Lin Xiao lowered his head and said,

“You get half the yacht, plus your tutoring fee. I’ll settle it all for you. Don’t rush to refuse—if you don’t accept, I’ll suspect your motives. Only if you do can I rest easy.”

He knew well that unearned rewards must be compensated elsewhere, and he didn’t want to owe anyone, especially for favors like these.

Zoe was silent, suddenly understanding his reasoning, and no longer refused.

As he said, the reluctance to accept payment did indeed hide ulterior motives.

“By the way, it’s late, and you’ve exhausted your strength. Better not go back tonight. Stay at my place for the night—I’ll introduce you to Eleven so you can get acquainted in advance.”

Hearing his arrangement, Zoe felt a warmth, knowing he was worried for her safety.

Lately, Hawkins had become turbulent, with various forces converging. In her current state, it was indeed dangerous.

Seeing Zoe didn’t object, Lin Xiao carried her all the way to his door, set her down, and rang the bell.

The door quickly opened. Eleven and Will rushed out. Will wasn’t surprised, but Eleven regarded Zoe curiously and turned to Lin Xiao:

“Jonathan, who’s this beautiful lady?”

Zoe smiled faintly, forcing herself to stand straight so as not to leave a bad impression on her future student, and said gracefully,

“Hello, I’m Zoe Farmiga. You must be Eleven?”

Eleven was puzzled, not knowing how the other knew her name—probably Jonathan told her. Thinking so, she smiled and asked,

“Yes, ma’am, I’m Eleven. Are you Jonathan’s girlfriend?”

Pfft!

Lin Xiao nearly choked. For a moment, scenes of female teachers visiting flashed through his mind—his face flushed, blood racing, warmth spreading through his abdomen.

Zoe blushed as well, seeing the odd expressions. Eleven “oh’d” knowingly, and Will echoed her. Lin Xiao hurried to explain,

“No, Eleven, you misunderstood. Miss Farmiga isn’t my girlfriend—she’s the tutor I hired for you.”

Eleven pointed at them, grinning mischievously,

“You say you’re not dating, but just now, big bro, you carried Miss Zoe home. Don’t think we didn’t notice!”

Awkwardness flooded Lin Xiao—now he understood the plight of the wrongly accused.

“All right, Elle, don’t tease your brother. They’re both exhausted.”

Joy walked over from behind, seeing their fatigue, inviting Zoe in to rest, and discreetly signaling Will and Eleven: Don’t sabotage your brother’s romantic prospects!