In everyone's eyes.
The iron chains, which looked impossibly tough, cracked and splintered under the boy's light tap. Countless fissures spread across the links, and in an instant, they shattered completely.
Should've just called you in the first place.
Eric Wang coughed, gave a weak smile, and nearly collapsed as he tried to stand. Quickly, a gentle force supported him, holding him upright.
Evan Lin sent a wisp of spiritual qi to repair Eric Wang's damaged meridians.
Just rest for now.
Evan Lin made a single gesture, summoning a chair to his side and settling Eric Wang into it.
Everyone watched the scene in silence.
There was an indescribable sense of strangeness in the air.
It was clearly supposed to be a tense, hostile standoff, yet the boy before them acted with calm precision—as if he were just doing chores in his own backyard.
That steady confidence and calm were worlds apart from Maran Ma of the Ancient-Martial Ma Family, whose face above was dark as water.
He's definitely going to die horribly!
The cold-faced boy raised his head, still kneeling on the floor.
He didn't dare stand up at all before Maran Ma spoke.
Qianyu, this is all your fault!
The muscular guy, after being dazed for ages and puffing out clouds of white smoke, finally managed to pull himself together and stand up from the ground.
He looked at the boy who'd become the center of attention, then turned to the bewildered Bai Qianyu, gritting his teeth.
Even facing Bai Qianyu, the muscular guy couldn't hide his anger: "That kid is reckless beyond belief!"
He actually dared to go against the Ancient-Martial Ma Family!
Now we're screwed—if we get dragged into this, we'll all be stuck here for good!
But let me make it clear! You insisted on bringing this guy—he has nothing to do with any of us!
The muscular guy roared in anger.
Hearing him, Bella Bai was stunned at first. She glanced at him and felt that the muscular guy—who'd chased after her for ages, always obeyed her every word, and had all the makings of a loyal puppy—now seemed like a total stranger.
It wasn't just him; Bella Bai looked at the rest of the group.
The glasses boy had already averted his gaze, clearly agreeing with the muscular guy. The cold-faced boy stayed kneeling, his ramrod-straight posture showing exactly where he stood.
Qianyu, this whole mess started because of you, so you need to take responsibility!" one female classmate said.
That's right—he's your guest, so you'd better take care of him! Just don't drag us down with you!" another girl chimed in, nodding repeatedly.
You guys...
Bella Bai bit her lip, unable to say another word.
It's only in the face of life and death that you see people's true colors.
Before Bella Bai could even sort out her thoughts, she saw the boy in the center of the hall walking forward.
He still wore that calm, indifferent expression, as if nothing in the world could faze him.
It was exactly this unruffled aura that made everyone around sneak glances at him again and again.
"I didn't know Master Lin from Seacrest would grace us with his presence. My health is poor, so I couldn't greet you in person—please forgive me, Master Lin!"
Everyone watched as the boy stepped closer and closer to Maran Ma and the others.
Suddenly, an old and trembling voice rang out.
At the sound, everyone instinctively turned to look.
They saw the Zhan Family Grand-Patriarch in his wheelchair, eyes already red with emotion.
Seacrest... Master Lin!
Boom!
The Zhan Family Grand-Patriarch's words were like a boulder thrown into a still lake.
A tidal wave of shock swept through the crowd!
"He's Master Lin from Seacrest?" someone cried out in astonishment.
"No way! I heard Master Lin from Seacrest was young, but this boy is way too young!" another exclaimed, still in disbelief.
Some believed, some didn't.
But now, everyone's gaze toward Evan Lin had completely changed.
After all, with the Zhan Family Grand-Patriarch's declaration, the boy's identity seemed much more convincing.
"He's definitely Master Lin from Seacrest—no mistake!"
An elderly man stood among the crowd, clenching his fists in excitement: "That day, on West Lake, I was lucky enough to see Master Lin from Seacrest up close!"
It's him, no doubt about it!
The old man's words were so passionate, his white beard fluttered in the air—he looked ready to leap out and prove Evan Lin's identity himself.
Master Lin from Seacrest?" The glasses boy's face went pale, his whole body trembling as he stared at the boy standing there, mumbling, "Impossible... impossible!"
That kid... how could that kid possibly be Master Lin from Seacrest?
His words were muddled and his expression was extremely ugly.
No way!
The cold-faced boy, still kneeling, refused to believe it. His body swayed, his mind ringing with a sharp buzz.
He stared at the boy walking ahead, replaying Linyi's words in his mind, his whole spirit thrown into chaos.
Just moments ago, the muscular guy was trying to distance himself from Evan Lin and Bella Bai, but now he staggered, nearly collapsing to the floor.
The other girls all turned their heads, their eyes darting between Bella Bai and Evan Lin.
Qianyu! You knew all along, didn't you?" one girl suddenly demanded, her voice sharp.
You really are scheming! You knew all along he was Master Lin from Seacrest, but when we went against him, you never warned us—you just kept pretending to be the good guy, always siding with him!
Another girl immediately pointed at Bella Bai's face.
Their expressions were full of anger and regret for what they'd said before.
When we criticized him, you pretended not to know who he was and helped him, so he'd remember you as the nice one?
The girl's words were harsh.
I didn't!
Bella Bai, exhausted in body and mind, shook her head.
She stared blankly at the boy standing there.
She gazed at his figure, at the boy who now commanded everyone's attention, the words 'Master Lin from Seacrest' echoing in her mind.
Is this really... Master Lin from Seacrest?
This is Master Lin from Seacrest!
For some reason, she suddenly remembered the fiery boy she'd met at the high-speed rail station.
Between that boy and Master Lin from Seacrest, who was stronger?
After a brief uproar, everyone fell completely silent.
Countless eyes were fixed on the boy.
Today, anyone here who wishes to stand against me—step forward now.
The boy's calm voice echoed through the hall.
His words seemed to pierce the very heavens, reverberating in everyone's ears.
That indifferent voice thundered louder than any storm.
And to those who hear my words, spread this message.
No one from the Ma Family present today will leave alive.