Chapter 205 – One Word to Determine All Things

A string of setbacks had given the Fox Spirit Bai Zhi a desire to give up, but soon, she noticed something was wrong.

The dragon-like monster ahead was indeed overwhelmingly powerful. Just sensing its aura conveyed a domineering and terrifying presence that could awe all directions. Yet, at this moment, this creature wreathed in crimson lightning did not, like other demonic monsters, roar and charge at them upon sight.

Not only did it not, but the smaller monsters around the dragon-like creature—pig-headed humanoids, sheep-headed humanoids—also did not rush forward.

All the monsters stood quietly in place, watching them.

This abnormality first made Bai Zhi’s heart skip a beat.

“Have I encountered an even stronger demonic monster… No, the dragon-like monster’s eyes lack the bloodthirsty madness of the other crimson creatures. Instead, they are utterly cold. It doesn’t seem like a monster, more like… a person?”

Just as the Fox Spirit Bai Zhi was wildly speculating, Mu Lin also awoke from his epiphany.

After glancing at the ongoing battle among the others, Mu Lin originally intended to stand by and watch.

However, at that moment, Yan Yunyu approached and whispered a few words to Mu Lin.

“Brother Mu, people outside have contacted us and are requesting your assistance. Of course, they won’t ask you to work for free and are willing to offer resources…”

As Yan Yunyu relayed the amount of resources the other party was offering, clear astonishment appeared in Mu Lin’s eyes.

“So much?”

Mu Lin was surprised, but Yan Yunyu was not. Coming from an aristocratic family, she understood all too well how fierce the competition within those great clans could be.

Outwardly, figures like Yuan Ce, Chu Hongxuan, and Yan Zhanpeng might appear infinitely glorious, but beneath and around them, countless others were covetously eyeing their positions.

Therefore, she had been certain earlier that as long as Mu Lin showed a willingness to help, it would prompt those aristocratic families to act.

This was also why she had advised Mu Lin not to rush. Now, it seemed her guess had been correct.

“This isn’t actually that much, especially since the current bidders aren’t just the Jade Lake Dao Academy, but also the Chu Family, the Yan Family, and the Yuan Family.”

After saying this, Yan Yunyu asked softly, “So, Brother Mu, shall we help?”

“Of course we should help. I’m not particularly interested in wealth; I just want to make more friends… Also, thank you. While many aristocratic families are willing to pay, without your efforts, I wouldn’t have been able to secure this amount of resources.”

Such gratitude did not please Yan Yunyu; instead, it made her pout coquettishly.

“Brother Mu, saying ‘thank you’ sounds so distant. This humble one has always considered myself and you as one.”

Yan Yunyu had said similar things many times before, but the current Mu Lin was no longer overly wary.

Part of this was due to Yan Yunyu’s wholehearted efforts to please him, allowing Mu Lin to witness her determination.

But more importantly, Mu Lin, whose power had surged dramatically, now possessed the confidence to fear no mischief from her.

‘Great strength can overcome all methods. No matter what you intend to do, as long as my power is sufficient, you cannot harm me.’

Holding this thought, Mu Lin nodded and said, “You’re right, we really don’t need to draw such clear lines between us.”

While the two were conversing, the situation for Yuan Ce, the Fox Spirit Bai Zhi, and the others ahead was growing increasingly dire.

Among them, although Yuan Ce was under attack by numerous demonic monsters, relying on a hidden trump card, bursts of power, and the protection of a top-grade artifact, he remained safe for the time being.

But Bai Zhi was in dire straits. The scythe-wielding demonic monster, finding it couldn’t immediately overpower Yuan Ce, suddenly appeared right in front of Bai Zhi with a ‘swish.’ With a swing of its arm, its massive scythe swept toward her neck.

“Huh?”

The sudden appearance of the scythe demon made Fox Spirit Bai Zhi widen her eyes, instinctively wanting to dodge and counterattack. Unfortunately, she failed.

The monster before her wielded the power of shadows. It could not only travel through shadows and abruptly leap in front of people but also restrict their movements by stepping on their shadows.

At this moment, Bai Zhi’s shadow was pinned down. Through the connection between the shadow and her body, she felt as if pressed down by a ghost—utterly unable to move, forced to watch helplessly as the scythe drew closer and closer to her neck.

“It’s over…”

The scythe, now within inches, drained all color from Fox Spirit Bai Zhi’s face. Just as she believed death was inevitable, a vast, inexplicably profound voice suddenly resounded through heaven and earth.

“Stabilize!”

“…”

As the sound echoed, Bai Zhi first felt the world plunge into abrupt silence, as if all sound had vanished completely.

Next, she was astonished to discover that the scythe, mere inches from her neck, had come to a halt.

“???”

“Can the dragon-shaped monster command the scythe monster?”

This sudden turn of events struck Bai Zhi as unbelievable, leading her to speculate that the dragon-shaped monster held higher status. But soon, she realized this wasn’t the case.

The frozen scythe monster’s eyes, once filled with bloodlust and brutality, were now replaced by panic and terror.

Moreover, its entire body surged with demonic qi, veins bulging violently. Such a reaction hardly seemed like a voluntary stop; it appeared more like its form had been forcibly restrained.

Yet, as soon as this thought entered Bai Zhi’s mind, she shook her head to dismiss it.

“To immobilize a Spirit Sea Realm demonic monster with a single word—how is that possible!”

She was reluctant to believe such an inconceivable scene. Meanwhile, Mu Lin was quite satisfied with the word “Stabilize.”

After acquiring it, Mu Lin discovered he could accomplish many things with “Stabilize.”

For instance, he could stabilize sound, creating complete silence around him.

He could stabilize air and space, immobilizing others’ movements.

Indeed, if he wanted to immobilize someone, Mu Lin could directly stabilize their bodily activities, rendering the enemy motionless.

He could also stabilize an enemy’s thoughts and soul; without the soul’s command, the enemy would likewise be unable to move.

And immobilization was merely a minor application of the word “Stabilize.”

Its true mastery lay in stabilizing all things in heaven and earth, halting all motion of all matter.

Of course, by then, Mu Lin wouldn’t call it immobilization anymore—it would be called—time stop!

“Unfortunately, the potential is outrageous, but my realm is too low; I simply can’t achieve it yet.”

With a sigh, Mu Lin’s tall and burly figure took a step forward, arriving beside the scythe demon.

By now, although this demonic monster was struggling with all its might, it remained utterly motionless—Mu Lin had stabilized its bodily activities.

This immobilization could certainly be broken, provided the monster had sufficient mana or extraordinary physical strength.

Alas, the scythe monster possessed neither. Its strengths lay in its anomalous abilities, swift speed, and sudden assassinations.

Unfortunately, before it could employ any of these, Mu Lin had already stabilized it.

And now, it no longer had the chance to be used.

A large hand covered the sickle monster’s head. With a slight exertion of force from Mu Lin’s palm, a sickening squish echoed as the sickle monster’s skull was crushed outright by his grip.

However, shattering its head did not kill the sickle monster. Creatures tainted by the Blood Moon, regardless of their original abilities, now all possessed an additional trait: Immortality.

Yet, this ability was useless against Mu Lin.

Crackle, sizzle…

As Crimson Lightning surged wildly, within mere moments, the headless sickle monster was reduced to charred remains by Mu Lin’s Thunder.

“…”

The scene before her left Fox Spirit Bai Zhi utterly speechless.

A monster she considered unbeatable was effortlessly annihilated by the dragon-like creature before her. Such a stark contrast left her at a loss for words.

At the same time, she racked her brains, trying to figure out just who—or what—this monster… this person, truly was.

(End of Chapter)