Chapter 692
Chapter 693 The Young Man at Ember University
“Tearing open space with his bare hands p>
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Reginald stood frozen as the spatial rift slowly closed. He did not move an inch. Only after Lydia and the mysterious old man had completely vanished did he finally cry out in shock.
Controlling spatial ability, tearing open space with bare hands, and carrying a person through it-such strength had already surpassed the King Phase level.
Eastern immortals!
Those two words suddenly surfaced in Reginald’s mind. He had never expected the mysterious old man who had forced Leander back with a single move to be a being that existed only in legend.
Ethan though less experienced, was familiar with such myths. That single act of tearing space apart left him completely stunned.
A heavy silence filled the hall. After a long moment, Reginald finally spoke.
“Gareth, from the day you brought Lydia home, I already sensed her background was unusual. Now it seems I was right. Who exactly is she p>
Ethan also turned to Gareth, waiting for an answer.
Gareth’s hand trembled slightly as it clenched into a fist. His expression carried both helplessness and deep unwillingness.
He exhaled slowly and shook his head.
“Dad, I promised Lydia that I would never reveal anything about her-not even to you. From today onward, I will focus entirely on martial arts. One day, I will reach that place and bring her back. Until then, no one in the Ashcroft family is to mention her again. Understood p>
Reginald had countless questions, but after seeing Gareth’s determination, he ultimately chose silence.
Ethan, however, could not hold back. He grabbed Gareth’s shoulder.
“Dad, what are you saying? What is going on p>
His voice trembled, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“Where did Mom go? Are we just going to let a stranger take her and do nothing p>
Gareth’s body trembled slightly. Conflict flashed in his eyes, but after a brief pause, he still shook his head firmly.
“It is not that we are doing nothing. It is true that right now, we are powerless. The place she has gone to is beyond my reach. It is a realm you cannot imagine. Even a hundred-year King Phase master entering it would face near-certain death at every step p>
He turned and walked out of the hall without looking back.
“Even a hundred-year King Phase master would face near-certain death there? Could it really be that place p>
Reginald let out a deep sigh, as though he had aged ten years in an instant, and sank back into his chair.
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1:55 pm P p pp.
Chapter 693 The Young Man at Ember University
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Ethan stood motionless, staring at the ground in silence. This was the second time he had felt so powerless. The first had been at Southern Shore, when he faced the heir of the War God Sanctum. He had fought with everything he had, even joining forces with Daphne, Claire, and other martial world geniuses, yet they still lost.
This time was even more devastating. His mother had been taken right before his eyes, and he could do nothing but watch. No pain felt deeper than this.
He walked out of the hall like a man without a soul and looked up at the murky sky. Only then did he think of Leander.
Leander, if anyone can bring Mom back, it has to be you. Where are you?
A month had passed since the incident at the Ashcroft residence, and life had gradually returned to normal at Ember University in Highcrest.
Inside the university library, a young man sat in a side seat, quietly reading a book with clear enjoyment. His features were refined and handsome, and the thick, black-framed glasses on his face gave him a strong scholarly air. He wore a plain T-shirt, light blue jeans, and white canvas shoes, with no branded items. Altogether, his outfit cost just over a hundred.
At Ember University, where wealthy heirs and elite students were everywhere, his appearance stood out as unusually plain. Several male students nearby shot him contemptuous and mocking glances.
He paid no attention. His focus remained entirely on the book, his expression calm and unbothered. The female students, however, reacted differently.
Used to the flashy, rich heirs around campus, they found his quiet, scholarly temperament intriguing. Their eyes kept drifting toward him with curiosity.
Not far behind him, four female students sat together whispering and giggling softly. One of them stood out in particular. She had long, silky hair falling straight down her back, a delicate oval face, flawless features, and skin as pale as snow. Her figure was especially eye-catching-slim, graceful, and perfectly proportioned-enough to make nearby male students keep turning their heads.
The four seemed to be playing some kind of game. A minute later, the campus beauty reluctantly stood up and walked toward the young man.
“Hi,” she said with a sweet smile, leaning slightly toward him. “Do you mind if I sit here p>
As she smiled, two faint dimples appeared at the corners of her lips, adding to her charm. Very few men could have remained unaffected.
The young man turned and returned a polite smile.
“Go ahead p>
The girl was slightly surprised by his reaction. At Ember University, she was extremely well-known. Nearly everyone recognized her.
She had recently entered a pageant competition and was already stepping into the entertainment industry. Her fame on campus made her stand out like a celebrity. Even the girls who saw her looked at her with sparkling eyes, full of admiration. Hundreds of boys had asked her for her autograph. Yet, in front of him, she felt her charm had been greatly diminished, as if she had become nothing more than an ordinary passerby.
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1:55 pm P PPP.
Chapter 693 The Young Man at Ember University
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His reaction was simply too calm.
She glanced back at her friends. The other three were trying to suppress their laughter.
A competitive spark rose in her chest. She pulled over a chair and sat beside him. A faint fragrance drifted through the air as she deliberately leaned closer, testing his reaction.
She had always been disciplined and reserved, but she was not inexperienced with men. Over the years, she had encountered countless admirers, including those who deliberately feigned indifference to attract her attention.
In those cases, she always remained composed and waited for them to reveal their intentions first. She assumed this young man was doing the same.
Ten minutes passed. He still showed no reaction. To him, the book seemed far more interesting than anything else. She felt no different from the surrounding air.
“I don’t believe you’re really this unfazed p>
A stubborn determination rose in her heart. For the first time, she decided to
escalate her approach.
Just as she leaned in closer, almost touching his arm, the young man suddenly spoke.
“I know you made a bet with your friends,” he said calmly. “I’m not your entertainment. Suppose this is truth or dare, find someone else. I’m sure plenty of others would be willing p>
His tone remained calm and flat. He closed the book, stood up, and walked toward the front desk, leaving her frozen in place.
At the counter, he presented his library card and checked out the book. The card bore the name Leander Ashcroft.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.