"Let's discuss this another time."
Victor Su shook his head and sighed softly, "Honestly, I wish Instructor Lin would agree too, but my words can't sway his thinking. Besides, Instructor Lin has shown great kindness to our Su family."
At this, Night Summer nodded. "I understand, but I still hope, Old Man Su, that you might mediate a bit more on this matter."
"I have some things to take care of, so I'll take my leave for now."
With that, Night Summer turned and left.
Night Sparrow shot another fierce glare toward the direction where Evan Lin had disappeared, her eyes full of irritation.
"That guy doesn't know what's good for him. A golden opportunity drops right on his head and he doesn't even bother to catch it. He's just too stupid—no wonder he'll be a nobody for life!"
Night Sparrow followed behind Night Summer out of the Su family courtyard, stomping across the bluestone pavement, face full of anger. "How about we just go in there, knock him out, and drag him away?"
"We'll bring him back to Nightstar, grind him down until he learns what real power looks like—so he finally understands that his so-called boxing and techniques are nothing in front of true strength!"
The more Night Sparrow spoke, the more she felt an itch to act.
In her eyes, Evan Lin was just an ungrateful country bumpkin who didn’t know his place. Refusing to give Nightstar any face was like a penniless hick meeting a disguised imperial inspector and not even recognizing a royal reward when it was handed to him—a top-tier act of stupidity and outright insubordination.
How many people in this world refuse to settle for mediocrity, dare to dream, and hope to rise above the crowd and reach the peak of life?
Now, with a golden opportunity right in front of him, he doesn't even know how to cherish it. Looking at it this way, he's almost guaranteed to be a complete idiot.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Night Summer shook his head, glanced at her, and after a moment of thought, said, "That Nine-Star Burst Fist of his—we can take it back for everyone to study and analyze a bit."
Since he didn’t pass Nightstar’s assessment before, chances are his strength hasn’t reached Vajra Realm yet. Maybe that fist technique is the only thing he’s got.
Night Summer’s words made Night Sparrow pause, then her eyes lit up. "So you’re saying, the reason he could turn down this massive opportunity—the honor of becoming the youngest brigadier in China’s history—is because he’s got nothing else up his sleeve?"
"Well, if you put it that way, everything makes sense!"
Night Sparrow clapped her hands, face full of excitement. "He’s only got that one fist technique, so there’s no way he could be Nightstar’s instructor. If he joined, he’d be exposed right away. And since his strength isn’t up to Nightstar’s entry standard, he’s just playing the long game!"
"As long as he keeps up this mysterious expert act, we’ll keep thinking about him. Later, he’ll get more chances to interact with Nightstar. This way, by taking the roundabout route, he might just get in after all!"
Hearing this, Night Summer nodded. "That's about what I was thinking too. For now, let's not worry about him. We'll just bring the complete Nine-Star Burst Fist back for everyone to study together—maybe someone will gain some insight from it."
Night Summer looked thoughtful, but couldn't help glancing back—just remembering the power of Evan Lin's final punch in the courtyard made his heart race with lingering fear.
"Here’s a goose-feather towel, and this is imported, unopened handmade men’s bath soap. The hot water’s ready for you—do you want me to call a few people in to scrub your back and massage your shoulders?"
Second Brother Su led Evan Lin into a spacious bathroom, fully stocked with all kinds of bath products—each one neatly arranged and brand new, still in its packaging.
"No need. You can go now."
Evan Lin shook his head.
Second Brother Su answered and left the room.
Evan Lin undressed, got into the bathtub, and lay back with a yawn. "Nightstar’s people really are kind of annoying."
"First thing: wait for the college entrance exam."
"Second: keep an eye on Warren Wu and Lily Zhong’s company. On an aura-starved Earth, cultivation needs a ton of pills. If their business goes well, it’ll generate huge wealth and the medicinal resources I need to advance. That means my cultivation will be set."
"Third: find time to ask Serena Tong about the real identity of Rena Luo. The person backing her might just have the other half of the Deep-Sea Ice Flame."
Strange Flames are most useful to Evan as a source of fire-essence for his Fire-Spirit Mortal Body, fueling its evolution.
Evan Lin closed his eyes to rest and began running the Grand Dao Foundation Art.
Immediately, layers of white mist appeared around his body—so dense it seemed almost solid, swirling without dispersing. With each breath, the mist would contract and expand, sometimes sinking into his skin, sometimes settling quietly in the air.
The water-colored fog around Evan condensed into tiny water dragons, drifting and circling him like guardians.
"Fourth: my meeting with Sandra Ling is getting closer."
"Yolanda Fang, when the time comes, make your choice."
Evan Lin’s thoughts were calm and steady.
He’d once promised Yolanda Fang the right to choose her own path in life.
The reason he set a two-year agreement with Sandra Ling was simply to give Yolanda Fang space to make her decision.
If, after two years, Yolanda Fang truly fell for the man Sandra Ling and Fang Qiuji had arranged for her, Evan Lin would naturally not interfere.
But if Yolanda shook her head and refused, Evan Lin wouldn’t care in the slightest about crushing the Fang family and that so-called elite clan beneath his feet.
"Every word and deed comes from the heart. What I believe is truth, is truth."
After Evan Lin finished his bath, Second Brother Su had already gone out and bought a full set of designer clothes—all limited editions. Compared to what Evan wore before, this outfit easily cost five figures.
Evan Lin didn’t pay it much mind. To him, it made no difference what he wore.
He stepped out of the room and saw Second Brother Su waiting at the door.
Second Brother Su invited Evan Lin for tea.
In the tea room, Sam Su and Big Brother Su were already seated. When they saw Evan Lin arrive, they quickly stood up with smiles.
Then Sam Su began talking about some recent events in South Capital during Evan Lin’s absence—mostly minor things. He also mentioned Evan Lin turning down Huaxing University at the rally at Capital No. 1 High, sighing and marveling at the story.
Then Big Brother Su chimed in, saying that Wu Zhihan had recently invited him to lunch and asked a lot about Evan Lin.
Second Brother Su chimed in, mentioning Su Mo’er. He said she’d been very concerned about Evan Lin, calling several times to ask about him. When she heard Evan Lin had turned down Huaxing, she even laughed happily on the phone for a long time.
As soon as Second Brother Su finished, Sam Su and Big Brother Su both glanced at Evan Lin.
Evan Lin picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"The tea’s decent."
With those words spoken.
Sam Su sighed inwardly, still hoping Evan Lin would ask more about Su Mo’er’s situation.
If Evan Lin and Su Mo’er could develop something, it would be a minor triumph for the Su family. More importantly, Sam Su could finally rest easy, no longer worrying in his grave that Su Mo’er might be bullied out in the world.