Versatile Mage Chapter 3165 Night Prayer

Bright sunlight beat down upon Mo Fan the moment he emerged from the Divine Wood Well.

The arid desert had returned, replacing the bizarre oasis that had vanished without a trace.

Landing on the shifting sands, Mo Fan felt a complex mix of satisfaction and regret. He had traded the Sacred Spring for a singular, mysterious spore.

"Forget it. Obsessing over it won't help. The world is too vast to comprehend every mystery. I might as well cross the Mediterranean and visit Xinxia. She must be longing for my return."

Mo Fan was never one to dwell on unsolvable riddles. No matter how much he had pondered while trapped in the Divine Wood Well, nothing mattered more once he escaped than the memory of Ye Xinxia’s soft lips. He imagined her serving him the local sun-dried wine—chilled, silky, and bursting with fragrance.

His lingering confusion was quickly washed away by a wave of anticipation.

Monsters, ancient demons, and the terror of the unknown paled in comparison to the prospect of resting in her affectionate embrace.

...

Mo Fan eventually reached the golden coastline after traversing the Mediterranean Sea.

The mirror-like surface of the water reflected grand golden palaces, while flickering candles mimicked the stars above. These lights illuminated the grand structures and the glowing moon, which cast a silvery sheen over the temples. They stood with a dignified solemnity, resembling a holy maiden watching over the waves.

Mo Fan bypassed the main entrance and slipped inside one of the palaces. He had always taken pleasure in testing the patience of temple authorities, so he avoided the front gates entirely.

Utilizing his formidable Shadow Element Forbidden Curse, he glided past the vigilant golden knights and navigated through the ranks of strict attendants undetected.

Within the Hall of the Goddess, he discovered Ye Xinxia focused on an ancient manuscript, seemingly in the midst of preparing for a major ceremony.

The newly appointed Hall Mother, accompanied by veteran servants and high-ranking officials, surrounded her in heated debate over the traditional protocols of the ritual. Seated in the place of honor, Ye Xinxia maintained that they should embrace modernization rather than being shackled by ancient customs.

"The hour for the night prayer has arrived," announced the young and captivating new Hall Mother.

Mo Fan stole a few more glances at her before retreating deeper into the darkness.

He observed Ye Xinxia from afar, admiring her intense focus. She moved with an air of elegance and command that felt worlds apart from the girl he knew. Even if this persona was a facade, she maintained it perfectly to uphold her duties as the Goddess.

Her divine aura made her seem sacred and nearly untouchable to Mo Fan.

As the night prayer approached, attendants began preparing Ye Xinxia for her ritual bath.

The officials and the Hall Mother exited the hall, commanding the Hall of Knights to form a ceremonial guard. Meanwhile, female devotees in hoods walked the cobblestone paths, sprinkling olive branches soaked in holy water.

The sheer scale of the night prayer caught Mo Fan off guard.

It didn't look like the proceedings would conclude anytime soon.

He began to grow restless.

It was late into the night, yet she was still burdened by her duties.

Ye Xinxia was truly pushing herself to the limit.

"Wait, is that a silver partition? It blocks her from view entirely, not even leaving a shadow?" A playful thought suddenly struck Mo Fan. During her bathing and dressing, a protective barrier was erected that even a mage of his caliber couldn't easily bypass. It was quite irritating.

When Ye Xinxia finally stepped out wearing her silver robe, the mere hint of her silhouette nearly pushed him over the edge.

He couldn't wait a moment longer.

If this ceremony lasted until sunrise, his playful intentions would be ruined. It would be as tragic as desert seedlings withering for lack of rain.

The silver screen moved into place.

A multitude of believers gathered on the platforms and along the winding walkways.

Ye Xinxia stood tall behind the screen. To the devoted followers outside, she was merely a soft voice and a hazy outline.

"As the moon ascends, the years reflect..."

Her voice flowed gracefully, as soothing as a gentle lullaby.

She began a rhythmic prayer dance, moving in harmony with the moonlight.

"Close your eyes, quiet your thoughts, and purify your soul..."

At her command, the believers obediently shut their eyes. They followed her lead, attempting to clear their minds and wash away their worldly cares.

A light breeze played with Ye Xinxia’s hair, carrying the scent of sea blossoms throughout the temple grounds.

Suddenly, a shadow darted behind the partition.

He grabbed the dancing Ye Xinxia with a firm grip, pulling her slender frame against his warm chest.

"Ah!" A startled cry escaped her lips. She reacted instantly, weaving the gasp into the final note of her chant.

The nearby Hall Mother and officials noticed the sudden shift in her tone.

It was certainly a departure from traditional melodies. They assumed this was the "modernization" Ye Xinxia had mentioned; after all, contemporary performances often featured high-pitched vocals.

Behind the screen, Ye Xinxia was both shocked and mortified. However, the moment she identified the bold intruder, a spark of delight lit up her eyes.

Nevertheless, she was in the middle of a public prayer.

She couldn't simply stop.

"Keep going. Don't mind me," Mo Fan murmured into her ear.

Flustered and embarrassed, Ye Xinxia tried to resist his antics.

"Quiet your thoughts, purify your soul..."

The officials and servants joined in the soft melody. To stay in sync with Ye Xinxia’s "modern twist," they even mimicked the high note she had accidentally produced.

The faithful followers instinctively opened their eyes, confused by the sound. But as the melody returned to its sacred, solemn rhythm, many felt a surge of guilt.

Good heavens, what were they thinking?

Their minds weren't clear at all. How could they hope to purify their hearts with such distracted thoughts?

The believers straightened their posture and returned to their devotions.

"There's a faint shadow. They might see you," Ye Xinxia whispered with a burning face, pointing at the partition that shielded them from the crowd.

"Don't worry. My Shadow Element has reached the Forbidden Curse level. My shadow is invisible to them," Mo Fan replied with a confident grin.

Ye Xinxia looked around doubtfully. She saw that the Hall Mother, the Lord of the Hall of Knights, and the various officials remained oblivious. Despite watching her closely, they didn't perceive the intruder behind the screen.

"Mo Fan, this... this isn't right..." Ye Xinxia struggled to find the words to scold him, her protest coming out as a soft, hesitant stutter.

Unfortunately, her weak resistance only served to embolden a rogue like Mo Fan.

He proceeded with his mischievous intentions. He craved the taste of her lips, the warmth of her embrace, and the feel of her skin.

Under the moon's glow, Ye Xinxia’s skin took on a rosy tint. Though the screen hid them from the world, she could still see the sea of devout followers just beyond the barrier.

Was it really appropriate to be this intimate in front of such a massive crowd?

Mo Fan had been playful during their past trips to the cinema, but this was nothing like a dark, private theater.

He was becoming increasingly daring and reckless.

The Shadow Element Forbidden Curse was certainly not intended for such purposes.

Though Ye Xinxia remained standing, her knees felt weak. Kissing was one thing, but Mo Fan was now moving toward her neck. His actions were becoming truly scandalous!

"W-Where have you been all this time?" she asked, desperate for a distraction.

"The Divine Wood Well. It was a haunting place. I nearly lost my mind in there. I need you to soothe my weary soul," Mo Fan said, his movements becoming even more bold as he spoke.

Ye Xinxia almost reached up to cover her mouth. Her face was flushed as she noticed the rituals for the servants and officials were concluding. It would soon be time for her to recite the final ancient passage.

The ancient phrase required absolute precision in tone and pronunciation. How could she possibly focus while Mo Fan was being so disruptive?

"Could you... could you please stop for just a moment?" Ye Xinxia pleaded, overwhelmed by embarrassment.

"Sure. I'm not doing anything. I'm just holding you," Mo Fan countered.

Ye Xinxia was speechless. If this was "just holding," she might as well resign as Goddess. Even though the nation was liberal enough to allow a Goddess to have a family, this situation felt entirely disrespectful.

And yet, she found herself unable to push him away.

Seeing her conflicted, blushing, and helpless expression, Mo Fan felt no remorse. He was actually starting to relish the thrill of the risk.

Despite the distraction, Ye Xinxia’s training took over. She recited the elegant ancient phrase without a single flaw. Her pronunciation and cadence were perfect.

Mo Fan watched her, captivated. Her regal presence was mesmerizing, which only made him want to play the villain even more.

...

Finally, the agonizing ordeal came to an end.

After several narrow escapes from being caught, Ye Xinxia finished the night prayer.

She hurried back to her private chambers, breathless and rosy-cheeked.

"Mo Fan!"

Ye Xinxia was genuinely upset.

Mo Fan had been far too bold!

"Hehe. I lose all restraint when I'm with you. You know I never wanted you to have this job. I just wanted to come home and hold you like we used to. Wouldn't that be better?" Mo Fan offered no apologies.

"Hmph! I think you actually enjoy me being in this position!" Ye Xinxia was no longer the innocent girl she once was; she understood the hidden desires of men.

Mo Fan couldn't deny it. To be honest, the thrill of what just happened was incredible. It brought his wildest fantasies to life.

"The sun isn't up yet. Shall we continue?" Mo Fan asked suggestively.

"We have the morning prayer at sunrise."

"I see. That gives us three hours together. We shouldn't waste a single second." Mo Fan stepped toward her with a hungry look in his eyes.

Ye Xinxia’s eyes went wide, and her body gave a slight shiver. Was Mo Fan really not going to let her rest for even ten minutes?