55: Chapter 55 Astral Stasis

Lin Muyang sighed somewhat helplessly.

He was just taking a shortcut, intending to cut through this bustling academy backstreet. Why did trouble seem to have eyes, seeking him out on its own?

Could it be that the old saying was true—handsome people attract more trouble?

He subconsciously touched his face. Well, maybe... there really was a connection? If he looked more ordinary, he probably wouldn't have caught the attention of that young miss of the Shen family, Shen Muyao. If Shen Muyao hadn't glanced at him those few extra times, this guy from Tianhai City with his nose in the air wouldn't have come over like a cat smelling fish to look for trouble.

Lin Muyang's personality had always been to avoid conflict whenever possible; he didn't like pointless fighting. But when trouble insisted on running into the barrel of his gun, he would never back down a single step. Swallow his pride? That wasn't his style.

Just as his thoughts were racing, the youth from Tianhai City—Zhao Kai—had already parted the crowd with an undisguised look of arrogance, striding toward him. Zhao Kai wore finely tailored swordsman's attire and carried a longsword at his waist that looked quite expensive. Every step he took was extremely flamboyant, as if he were deathly afraid that others wouldn't know he was someone not to be trifled with.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze for a moment, followed by the sound of suppressed, rustling whispers.

“Isn't that Lin Muyang from First High? The one who just changed classes to a Summoner a few days ago?”

“Yeah, that's him! I heard his summon is incredibly powerful, and it's an exceptionally beautiful elf... Wow, seeing her today, she really lives up to the reputation!”

“What's the situation now? Is that Zhao Kai from Tianhai City looking for trouble with him?”

“It's over, it's over. That old man following Zhao Kai is said to be an expert from Tianhai City specifically protecting him. In our Zhongnan City, probably few people would dare to provoke him.”

“This is too overbearing, isn't it? Just because the campus belle Shen looked at Lin Muyang a couple of times?”

“Sigh, who told him to have such a strong background? Being born into the right family is a skill in itself. Lin Muyang has likely kicked a steel plate this time...”

“Tsk tsk, what a pity...”

Most of the spectating students showed looks of sympathy and worry, yet not one dared to step forward. In this world where power was paramount, meddling often meant inviting disaster. Especially when facing a 'crossing dragon' with a deep background from a much larger city, playing it safe was the choice for most people.

Just then, a clear female voice tinged with slight anger rang out: “Zhao Kai! What do you think you're doing?”

The one who spoke was none other than Shen Muyao. Her brow was furrowed as she stepped forward quickly, attempting to stop this unwarranted disaster. She didn't have the slightest bit of goodwill toward this Zhao Kai, who looked down on everyone because of his family status, and she certainly didn't want to see a fellow student from her school fall into trouble because of her unintentional actions.

Zhao Kai paused his steps and glanced sideways at Shen Muyao, his lips curling into a mocking arc. “What am I doing? Shen Muyao, I just want you and everyone present to see clearly what a true genius is, and what... is just an insignificant ant. You look down on me, Zhao Kai from Tianhai City, yet you favor someone from a small place like this? Today, I’ll make you understand that the gap between you two is even larger than you imagine!”

His words were less an attack on Lin Muyang and more a release of pent-up emotions. In Tianhai City, although he was considered exceptionally talented, he was firmly suppressed by the second young miss of the Gu Family, Gu Xiaoyu, to the point where he could barely breathe. Coming to the relatively remote Zhongnan City this time was partly to relax and find some confidence. He desperately needed a 'stepping stone' to prove his worth and rebuild his bruised pride.

What he didn't know was that the very Gu Xiaoyu who made him feel so pressured in Tianhai City had, not long ago, respectfully addressed the 'stepping stone' in front of him as 'Senior,' with an attitude so humble it bordered on worship.

Zhao Kai's gaze moved past Lin Muyang and landed on the two young women beside him. At this sight, his eyes instantly widened, and his breath hitched.

The one on the left, the Elf Maiden Lilia, had silver hair and purple eyes, her features as exquisite as God's most perfect masterpiece; her gaze was clear yet held a hint of otherworldly mystery. The one on the right, Elabess, though silent, had a graceful figure and a cold, noble temperament, like a dark orchid blooming under the moon.

The appearance and temperament of these two women were both actually superior to Shen Muyao's!

A strong sense of imbalance and jealousy instantly surged in Zhao Kai's heart. What did this kid do to deserve this? He was just a minor Summoner who had only changed classes a few days ago. Why could he gather such beauties around him? Was it just because he was handsome? In this world where strength determined everything, what use was being handsome?

This jealousy, mixed with his original intention to find fault, made him completely resolve not only to teach Lin Muyang a harsh lesson but also to make him lose face completely in public! As for these three girls who had caught his eye... a glint of greed flashed in the depths of Zhao Kai's eyes. Perhaps he could find a way to 'get to know' them tonight.

He no longer paid attention to Shen Muyao's obstruction and continued to close in on Lin Muyang. His hand was already on his sword hilt, and pale green sword qi began to surge around him. The pressure belonging to a high-tier sword class began to permeate the surroundings.

“Kid, if you want to blame someone, blame your own bad luck,” Zhao Kai sneered, already viewing Lin Muyang as an object he could manipulate at will.

Lin Muyang looked at the other's undisguised, disgusting gaze sweeping over Lilia and Elabess, and sighed deeply once more. He had originally just wanted to walk through this street quietly.

“Truly, the tree wants to be still, but the wind won't stop.” He shook his head and whispered a sentence in a voice only he could hear.

Then, he looked up, his tone calm and rippleless, as if he were merely stating a simple fact: “Lilia, it seems someone needs to wake up. Go, give him a lesson. No need to hold back, just as long as you don't kill him.”

These words weren't loud, but they clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

For a moment, the entire place was stunned!

Everyone thought they had misheard. Beat him to death? In front of that old bodyguard who was clearly an expert? Had Lin Muyang been scared stupid? Or was he just throwing caution to the wind?

Shen Muyao was also dazed, her pink lips slightly parted, not knowing how to react for a moment.

The cold-faced old man who had been following Zhao Kai like a shadow, resting with his eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open the moment he heard Lin Muyang's words! A sharp light like a hawk's burst from his eyes!

He had indeed been reluctant to interfere in a dispute between juniors, as long as he ensured Zhao Kai's safety. But now, someone actually dared to claim they would strike heavily at the person he was protecting right in front of him?

“Ignorant junior, how dare you speak such arrogant words!”

The old man let out a cold snort that sounded like a sudden clap of thunder, making the eardrums of many nearby ring. A powerful aura suddenly erupted from him, a physical pressure enveloping the field that made many weaker students turn pale and retreat repeatedly. He took a step forward, raising a withered palm that looked slow but seemed to contain the power to shatter mountains, preparing to give this kid who didn't know the heights of the heavens an unforgettable lesson!

However, at the very instant his palm was raised—

A sudden change occurred!

Without any warning, a brilliant and mysterious pale golden light spread out instantly with Lin Muyang as the center, precisely enveloping the old man who was about to attack!

In the next moment, a scene that everyone would never forget took place.

That aggressive old man of unfathomable strength seemed to have had his pause button pressed. All his movements, his aura, and even the expression on his face—a mixture of anger and disdain—were completely frozen! His half-raised palm was stuck in mid-air, the surging energy fluctuations around him came to a dead stop, and his entire person was like a statue embedded in pale golden glass. He maintained his posture from the previous moment, motionless, without even an eyelash able to quiver in the slightest.

Astral Stasis!

This was one of the God-Tier Aura abilities Lin Muyang possessed, corresponding to the Holy Hourglass that protected himself. Its effect was to forcibly drag a designated target into a state of absolute space-time stasis. During this period, the target could not perform any actions, but simultaneously would not receive any damage. Using it now to stop this old man from interfering was perfectly appropriate.

The entire noisy backstreet fell into a deathly silence at this moment.

One could hear a pin drop.

Everyone's eyes were wide and round, their mouths open wide enough to fit an egg, as they looked in disbelief at the old man wrapped in golden light who had completely lost the ability to move. Then, they suddenly snapped their gazes toward Lin Muyang, who looked calm, as if he had only done something trivial.