204: Chapter 205 Lin Muyang: Someone Still Dares to Steal My Things?

Facing Lin Muyang's seemingly relaxed and casual yet undeniably firm inquiry, a complex expression of helplessness and emotion flickered across Xu Ruohan's delicate face. She sighed softly, her gaze sweeping over the lake of the Thunder Pool below, which had returned to tranquility but still seemed to hold remnants of terrifying energy fluctuations. She replied with certainty, "Of course. You are the champion, there is no doubt about that; everyone present witnessed it. That mythical grade skill book reward naturally belongs to you."

She paused, tilted her head slightly in thought, and added, "However, the item isn't on us. To ensure absolute safety, all precious rewards for this competition, including your mythical grade skill book, are stored in the core vault of the Jingdu City Summoner Association headquarters, guarded by multiple top-tier experts and several mythic grade barriers. Once we return to Jingdu from here, we can immediately hold an award ceremony for you and officially present the reward."

"Alright, no rush." Hearing this, a gentle smile appeared on Lin Muyang's face as he nodded. He really wasn't in a hurry. After a big battle, although he won easily, he had consumed some mental energy, so the trip back to Jingdu would be a good time to rest. Moreover, he had other plans in mind.

He didn't immediately recall the three young ladies, Lilia, Elabess, and Gui Wanwan, to the summoning space. They didn't want to return to the villa yet and wanted to play here a bit longer. Since they didn't want to go back right away, Lin Muyang was happy to have them by his side; after all, it felt good to be accompanied by three such powerful and pleasing-to-the-eye young ladies.

Just as Lin Muyang's thoughts shifted slightly, two figures flew from the periphery of the crowd at top speed, landing on the mountain peak where Lin Muyang and Xu Ruohan were with a light sound of wind.

"Boss! Holy mother of god! You're way too fierce! Hahaha!" Before he had even fully steadied himself, Wang Meng's rough and heroic voice with a heavy accent rang out. He strode up to Lin Muyang, showing no sign of dejection over his destroyed summons; instead, he was full of excitement and admiration. His copper-bell-like eyes were wide as he looked Lin Muyang up and down as if looking at some rare treasure. "Just two moves, just 'swish swish' like that, and you wiped out my thick-skinned Titan Giant and everyone else's precious darlings! So satisfying! It was truly satisfying to watch! I, Old Wang, have never deferred to anyone in my life, but today I'm completely convinced! From now on, you're my boss!"

As he spoke, he thumped his chest hard, making muffled thudding sounds, his smile sincere and warm. For a straightforward battle maniac like him, strength was the ultimate truth. The crushing power Lin Muyang displayed didn't make him hold a grudge; instead, it sparked heartfelt admiration.

In contrast, the cool and elegant Gu Shuanglin appeared much more reserved. She landed lightly, standing slightly behind Wang Meng, and didn't shout like he did. But her beautiful eyes, which seemed to contain stars, were fixed unblinkingly on Lin Muyang, flashing with undeniable shock, curiosity, and a rising light of admiration that she hadn't even noticed herself.

She recalled her proud World Tree, which had been mostly destroyed with almost no resistance under the opponent's seemingly ordinary but world-shaking "Holy Light Meteor." Her pride was completely shattered, replaced by a yearning and awe for a higher level of power. She bit her lower lip slightly, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end, she only nodded lightly to Lin Muyang, the meaning in her gaze clear enough.

With Wang Meng and Gu Shuanglin taking the lead, others began to react as well. Zhao Man, Hao Qingshan, and the other top Summoner contestants who had participated in the siege, as well as the Nation-Guarding Level Experts who were originally just spectators, all gathered around. Their expressions varied—some still in shock, some thoughtful, some with beaming smiles wanting to make an acquaintance, and some with complex, scrutinizing looks.

But regardless, Lin Muyang had proven his strength and value to everyone with a clean and decisive crushing victory. In this world where strength is respected, Lin Muyang, with such potential and immediate combat power, was undoubtedly a rapidly rising, radiant new star worthy of everyone's highest attention.

"Young friend Lin Muyang, the youth are to be feared, truly to be feared!" A white-haired, energetic elder praised while stroking his beard. He was a senior veteran of the Summoner Association and a powerful Summoner himself.

"Today's battle has truly opened my eyes. Student Lin Muyang's strength is probably no longer inferior to us old fellows," another Nation-Guarding Level Expert dressed in a simple long robe remarked, his eyes full of appreciation as he looked at Lin Muyang.

"Lin Muyang... this time, it was I, Hao Qingshan, who lost. I am completely convinced. I hope to have the opportunity to seek guidance from you in the future." Hao Qingshan also walked over, his expression the most complex—disappointment and relief eventually turned into respect for the strong.

For a moment, Lin Muyang was surrounded by people, with various words of praise, attempts to make friends, and probing questions filling his ears. Lin Muyang maintained a calm and indifferent smile throughout, nodding in response to everyone's enthusiasm one by one, neither appearing too eager nor coldly distant. He knew very well that after this battle, his status in the upper echelons of Great Xia and the top Summoner circles would be completely different, and these connections might be useful in the future.

Taking advantage of a slight lull in the crowd's enthusiasm, Lin Muyang cleared his throat. His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly: "Thank you, seniors and colleagues, for your kind regard. I, Lin Muyang, am young and still have much to learn. Being able to win today was also thanks to everyone holding back."

He changed the subject, stating his true purpose: "Actually, I do have something right now where we might be able to help each other out. Recently, I've had a high demand for various high-difficulty, high-reward Dungeon and secret realm scrolls. If any of you have such idle scrolls on hand, or have related acquisition channels and information, I am willing to purchase them at ten percent above the market price, or exchange them for equivalent equipment, skill books, or materials."

He swept his calm gaze across the crowd: "Of course, if you don't have any for now but happen to obtain some in the future, you're welcome to contact me anytime. I, Lin Muyang, thank you in advance."

As soon as these words were spoken, the onlookers were first stunned, and then many people's eyes lit up.

Dungeon and secret realm scrolls? For a genius like Lin Muyang with terrifying strength and extremely high Dungeon-clearing efficiency, these were indeed the most cost-effective development resources. For these experts who also stood at the top, they more or less had some high-difficulty scrolls in their possession that they couldn't use for the time being or didn't dare to try easily.

These things were just sitting there anyway. If they could be used to gain Lin Muyang's friendship or exchanged for resources they urgently needed, it would be a win-win. Moreover, the price Lin Muyang offered was quite sincere—ten percent above the market price. Even if they specifically went to buy them and then resell them, there was a profit to be made.

"Young friend Lin Muyang needs dungeon scrolls? What a coincidence! I just recently obtained a 'Molten Core' team secret realm scroll. The difficulty is not small, and I was just worrying about not being able to find a suitable team. Since you need it, I'll have someone send it to you later!" The white-haired elder was the first to speak with a chuckle.

"I have a 'Void Ruins' exploration scroll in my hand. It was discovered in an ancient secret realm last time. It's said there might be rare space-type materials or skill books inside. If Brother Lin Muyang is interested, we can talk in detail," another expert from a prominent family immediately chimed in.

"I think we have a few at the bottom of our guild's warehouse... I'll have someone check as soon as I get back!"

"Student Lin Muyang, I know a few friends who specialize in the rare scroll business. I can help introduce you!"

For a time, everyone responded one after another, and the atmosphere became even more enthusiastic. Making friends with a super genius with a limitless future and being able to do business at the same time—why not?

The smile on Lin Muyang's face grew even wider. He accepted everyone and exchanged contact information with those who were interested. However, an observant person might notice that most of what Lin Muyang exchanged was a newly registered communication ID with a very ordinary nickname. Only a very few people with particularly high status or those he felt were more agreeable were added to his true private number.

As for the secondary account the others added, Lin Muyang had already made plans—he would just hand it over to Shen Muyao to manage later. That girl was meticulous and good at socializing and business negotiations. Letting her handle these procurement matters was perfect, as it would save him a lot of time and energy.

Taking advantage of the gap while everyone was adding each other's contact information, Lin Muyang also walked aside with Xu Ruohan, Zhou Wenyuan, and several other core Nation-Guarding Level Experts to have a more in-depth conversation. From them, Lin Muyang learned about some of the latest developments in the international situation, and his mood became slightly more solemn.

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"According to our multi-source intelligence analysis, the American Empire, the Western Federation, as well as Japan and Kimchi Country, who have long been at odds with us, have had unusually frequent high-level activities recently. They are suspected of colluding in secret and mobilizing their forces."

Zhou Wenyuan frowned slightly and lowered his voice, having already set up a soundproof barrier around them, "Although the specific target is not yet clear, various signs indicate that their spearhead is very likely pointed at our Xia Country. And you, Lin Muyang, the commotion you caused earlier at the border of India, as well as the strength and potential you displayed in this competition, have very likely landed you on their highest-level threat list."

Xu Ruohan took over the conversation, her stunningly beautiful face wearing a serious expression: "We can basically confirm that the mysterious genius who previously swept through the border of India is the same person as you, who shone brilliantly on the competition field today. We were able to analyze this secret internally, and given the resources of those countries, it is only a matter of time before they find traces of it. Once they confirm that you not only possess a terrifying growth rate but also the potential to change the regional and even international balance of power... they will likely spare no cost to take action."

Lin Muyang listened in silence, his fingers unconsciously rubbing together. He was not surprised; he understood the principle that the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be broken by the wind. He just didn't expect the other side to move so quickly.

"Therefore," Xu Ruohan looked at Lin Muyang, her tone solemn, "our consensus is that before the situation becomes clear, or rather, before you possess the absolute strength to protect yourself and even fear no threats, you should try your best not to leave the territory of Xia Country. In Xia Country, we have the home-field advantage, a perfect defense system, and numerous experts, which can ensure your safety to the greatest extent. Once you leave the country, there are too many variables, and the risks will rise exponentially."

Lin Muyang nodded slowly and said in a deep voice: "I understand, thank you all for the reminder, seniors. I will stay in the country for the near future."

He indeed had no plans to go abroad immediately; there were still plenty of secret realms and resources waiting to be developed within the country, so there was no need to take risks outside. Moreover, he also needed time to digest the gains from this competition and further improve his own strength and that of the young ladies.

"It's good that you can understand." Zhou Wenyuan patted Lin Muyang on the shoulder, a look of relief on his face, "Don't worry, kid. You are not fighting alone in Xia Country. We old bones still have some weight. If they want to touch you, they will have to weigh carefully whether they can afford the price!"

After some discussion, the atmosphere eased slightly. At Xu Ruohan's suggestion, the group decided to stay a little longer in this territory of the Thunder God Tiger. On one hand, it was to let the young Summoners who had experienced the great battle calm down, and on the other hand, it was to take this opportunity to further consolidate their cooperative relationship with these two mythic grade Thunder God Tiger BOSSes—after all, establishing a stable connection with such a powerful magical beast tribe was of great significance to Xia Country.

However, the scene that happened next surprised everyone again, and even left them feeling somewhat dumbfounded.

Those two mythic grade Thunder God Tigers, which had been lying on the mountain peak lazily watching the battle, actually stood up on their own, walking down from the mountain with elegant and majestic strides, heading straight for the area where Lin Muyang was located. Their huge bodies were like two moving small hills, the ground trembling slightly as they walked, and the azure lightning arcs jumping all over their bodies shining with a charming luster in the sunlight.

What was even more surprising was that these two mythic giant beasts, whose strength was comparable to more than a dozen Nation-Guarding Level Experts combined, and who usually paid no attention to human experts and were incredibly arrogant, now restrained the terrifying, violent lightning pressure around them and approached Lin Muyang with relatively gentle steps.

The slightly larger one even lowered its head slightly, gently rubbing its huge, magnificent head covered with gorgeous purple lightning patterns against Lin Muyang's hand, while its throat emitted a low, "purring" sound similar to that of a satisfied house cat. The other one crouched quietly to the side, and when its tiger eyes, which contained thunderstorms, looked at Lin Muyang, they actually carried a hint of obvious... closeness and curiosity?

Lin Muyang was stunned at first, then smiled amusedly, and very naturally reached out to gently stroke the big head that had rubbed against him. The fur felt soft and smooth to the touch, with a slightly numbing static electricity, but it was not aggressive. The Thunder God Tiger seemed to enjoy it, squinting its eyes, and the purring sound grew louder.

"They... rarely get this close to humans." Xu Ruohan stood beside Lin Muyang, watching this incredible scene, a look of surprise and realization on her stunningly beautiful face. She lowered her voice and said to Lin Muyang, "It seems that the strength and potential you just displayed have truly earned their recognition. Magical beasts, especially powerful existences standing at the top of the food chain like the Thunder God Tiger, worship the strong above all else. You defeated the combined force of thirty-one top Summoners with an overwhelming momentum; this achievement is enough to earn their respect and even fawning. This is an honor that even many seniors like Elder Zhou have never enjoyed."

She was right. Old-school Nation-Guarding Level Experts like Zhou Wenyuan were certainly strong, but they relied more on years of accumulation, skill combinations, and combat wisdom. But what Lin Muyang had just displayed was a more direct, more domineering, more impactful, and more growth-oriented "power." This pure sense of power was perhaps more to the taste of top predators like the Thunder God Tiger. Their keen senses could also perceive that Lin Muyang, as well as the three young ladies beside him, contained a potential that made even them feel a sense of trepidation.

Lin Muyang smiled and said nothing, just continued to stroke the Thunder God Tiger's big head intermittently. Being on good terms with such mythic creatures was naturally not a bad thing.

For the next hour or so, the group simply toured the Thunder God Tiger's territory. Accompanied by the two mythic Thunder God Tigers, they saw some strange lightning-attribute crystal veins deep in the lightning pool, saw some young Thunder God Tigers playing in the lightning field, and felt the extremely dense lightning elemental environment of this area. During this time, the two Thunder God Tigers were always quite friendly towards Lin Muyang, even allowing him to approach their nest area, a treatment that left Xu Ruohan and the others amazed.

It wasn't until the sun set and red clouds appeared on the horizon that the group decided to set off and return to Jingdu City.

However, just as they had left the territory of the Thunder God Tiger tribe and stepped into the human-controlled urban area, before they had time to return to Jingdu through the teleportation array, a series of urgent communication ringtones rang out almost simultaneously from several Nation-Guarding Level Experts, including Xu Ruohan and Zhou Wenyuan.

"Beep beep beep—!"

"Beep beep beep—!"

The ringing was sharp and abrupt, sounding particularly harsh in the relatively quiet environment. Everyone's expression changed slightly; at a time like this, multiple high-level officials receiving emergency communications at the same time was definitely not normal.

Xu Ruohan immediately took out a specially made communication crystal engraved with complex runes from her bosom and injected a trace of magic power. The crystal lit up, projecting a light screen formed by shimmering light, with encrypted information scrolling rapidly across it.

After looking at it for only a few seconds, Xu Ruohan's stunningly beautiful face instantly became ice-cold, her brows knitted tightly, and her eyes were filled with shock, anger, and a trace of disbelief.

"What happened, Ruohan?" Zhou Wenyuan had also just hung up his own communication, his expression equally serious. Seeing Xu Ruohan's expression, his heart sank, and he immediately asked.

Xu Ruohan took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, but her voice still carried a trace of imperceptible trembling. She raised her head, her gaze first complicatedly looking at Lin Muyang, then sweeping over the crowd who were all casting inquiring looks, and said word by word:

"We just received the highest-level emergency notification from both the Association and the military—the core storage vault of the Summoner Association headquarters in Jingdu City was invaded half an hour ago!"

She paused, and every word seemed to weigh a thousand pounds:

"The list of stolen items is being confirmed, but preliminary judgment... the champion's prize for this National Youth Summoner Competition, that unique mythical grade skill book, has very likely been stolen!"

"What?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a bolt from the blue; everyone present, including Lin Muyang, was stunned, their faces filled with astonishment.

The champion's prize, the mythical grade skill book, had been stolen?

Lin Muyang's brows knitted tightly instantly. He had spent time and energy participating in the competition, and after finally winning the championship, the prize was stolen before he even got his hands on it? What was this?

However, Xu Ruohan's next words made everyone's hearts tighten again.

"And..." Xu Ruohan's voice became even lower, and she looked at the latest information scrolling on the communication crystal, slowly saying, "The intruder left a note at the scene."