Evan Lin's expression was calm. As he spoke, there wasn't the slightest hint of fear—he was simply stating something as casually as if it were an everyday matter.
He looked at the four Nightstar instructors—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—behind him, while supporting Allen Ju at his side.
On the other side, Selina Wu and Warren Wu finally managed to break through the crowd blocking them and rushed over.
"Are you confident?"
Selina Wu supported Allen Ju with one hand and addressed Evan Lin, her face tinged with worry.
Nightstar's strength was nothing to be underestimated.
What’s more, all of Nightstar’s strongest members were present today.
If Evan Lin really ended up at odds with Nightstar today, it wouldn’t do his future any favors.
After all, Nightstar’s power was plain for all to see.
"Leave it to me. You take him down and let him rest."
Evan Lin shook his head, thought for a moment, and took out a Nourishing Spirit Pill for Allen Ju to take.
"What’s that?"
"That medicinal scent is so rich!"
The moment Evan Lin took out the Nourishing Spirit Pill, everyone present with any cultivation sense had their expressions change.
The four Nightstar instructors—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—were even more shocked. The pill’s fragrance hit their noses and left them stunned.
Nightstar did have pills to aid cultivation, but none of them could compare to the intoxicating scent of the Nourishing Spirit Pill Evan Lin had just produced.
"What kind of pill is that?"
Standing beside Grandpa Ju, the steward who had just tried to attack Evan Lin raised his eyebrows, staring at the pill Evan handed over. The shock and astonishment welling up inside him were beyond words.
He was a third-grade Pointing-to-Mystery expert, and had taken countless pills. He’d even asked the Pill King for pills to aid his cultivation before, but none of them had ever given him this kind of feeling.
Allen Ju didn’t hesitate for a second—he swallowed the Nourishing Spirit Pill immediately.
Evan Lin tapped a finger to Allen Ju’s chest, channeling spiritual qi to help him absorb the pill.
In the next instant, the Nourishing Spirit Pill’s effects exploded inside Allen Ju’s body, and its rich fragrance spread throughout the Ju family ancestral hall.
Selina Wu and Warren Wu, closest to Allen, inhaled the pill’s scent and felt their whole bodies relax—almost as if they were being reborn.
Even those a bit farther away, just by smelling it, felt their limbs and bones loosen and their bodies gently stretched and cleansed.
This sensation was especially pronounced for the four Nightstar instructors—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
"Someone who can casually hand out such a precious pill—just who is this Master Lin from Seacrest?" Night Spring’s expression grew even more serious.
"His origins are a mystery. He showed up in Jinnan before, trained Fifth Blade, and when I went to Jinnan to invite him to become a Nightstar instructor—mainly for his Nine-Star Burst Fist and Qi Source Body-Forging Art—he flatly refused."
Night Summer spoke in a low voice, his gaze locked onto Evan Lin: "After Fifth Blade’s squad was wiped out, Evan Lin struck in anger and easily took out Luo Renwu of the Rowe clan."
"That’s all I know about him. If he’d been a Nightstar member when he handled the Luo Renwu incident, he could’ve used it to enter Moonshade."
Night Summer had just conferred briefly with Night Frost, learning that the Luo Renwu incident was upgraded; any Nightstar member who solved it could earn promotion to Moonshade.
That really startled Night Summer.
"But he’s not a Nightstar member, so even if he completed the mission, he doesn’t qualify to enter Moonshade."
Night Sparrow spoke up resentfully from the side: "And honestly, this guy is way too arrogant—always acting like the world’s beneath him, like he’s second only to heaven itself."
"Does he seriously think he’s stronger than all of Nightstar?"
Night Sparrow kept grumbling.
Night Spring listened to their words and felt a sudden jolt inside.
She gave Evan Lin a deep look. Someone who nearly qualified for Moonshade had to be terrifyingly strong.
Everyone present watched Allen Ju in silence.
Allen Ju, pale and covered in wounds, began to recover at a visible speed after taking the pill.
A faint glow appeared on his skin, and before long, all fatigue vanished. He looked refreshed, and his skin was noticeably smoother than before.
Allen Ju used to give off a somewhat repressed vibe, but now, standing there, his features hadn’t changed at all—yet his whole aura was that of a refined young gentleman.
All thanks to Evan Lin’s spiritual qi, which helped him fully absorb the Nourishing Spirit Pill.
"Why does it feel like Allen’s become a whole new person?" someone remarked.
"I feel it too. And this pill’s effect... isn’t it a bit too strong?" another person exclaimed.
A moment ago, Allen Ju was barely hanging on; now, he was full of vitality.
"Thank you."
Allen Ju felt the changes in his body—his mind was clearer, his strength greater, and his vision sharper.
These changes filled Allen with joy.
"Get some rest."
Evan Lin nodded and patted his shoulder.
To outsiders, that simple gesture carried a different meaning.
It was clear that this young man was openly telling everyone: Allen Ju was his friend.
Just like Allen Ju had repeatedly told others before, "He’s my friend."
"Take care of yourself."
Selina Wu glanced at Evan Lin, still looking a bit worried.
"Badass."
Warren Wu stared at Evan Lin for a long moment before finally squeezing out a single word.
"Patriarch?"
The steward looked toward Grandpa Ju beside him.
The Ju family members all wore different expressions at that moment.
Just now, Chase Ju had been sent flying for no apparent reason, which already left a deep impression. Now, seeing Evan Lin make such a statement, people couldn’t help but take another look at Allen Ju.
Today, Allen Ju had just been stripped of his ‘Third Young Master’ title. If this kid in front of them really beat Nightstar…
What would the Ju family do then?
"It doesn’t matter."
Grandpa Ju shook his head, not intending to have the steward help either Nightstar or this youth.
His original goal was to test Allen Ju. Now, seeing Allen meet his expectations, he turned his attention to the friend Allen had risked everything to protect—wanting to see what kind of person he really was.
Only by joining forces with the strong could they become even stronger.
If Evan Lin turned out to be someone with no real ability who just liked to stir up trouble…
Then Grandpa Ju would have to question Allen Ju’s judgment.
So, he waited.
The whole Ju family waited too.
All eyes were on Evan Lin.
In the center of everyone’s attention, Evan Lin didn’t even glance at the Ju family side. He simply raised his hand, crooked his finger at the four Nightstar instructors—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—and beckoned them forward.
"Come."