Lynn Chen didn’t refuse. These past few days at home, whenever she wasn’t thinking about Evan Lin, she was throwing herself into practice problems.
She was really worried her grades would slip—because that would mean the gap between her and Evan Lin would only get bigger.
“Where’s Evan Lin?”
The four of them climbed the mountain together, squeezed among the bustling crowd and noisy chatter.
Liam Li couldn’t help but ask, glancing at Lynn Chen.
Back then, Sisi Shao and Liam Li used to hang out a lot. Sisi was into status, and Liam’s family had money and a bit of clout.
But after Sisi Shao came back from the math olympiad in River City, her attitude toward Liam did a total 180—now she’s all casual and barely pays him any mind.
Liam was annoyed at first, but then he figured it was actually a good thing—at least now he could chase after Lynn Chen with a clear conscience.
“Don’t ask me. I have no idea where he went.”
Lynn replied, not in the mood to be nice.
Liam was secretly pleased, thinking Lynn must be fed up with Evan Lin and holding a grudge.
But Lynn kept scanning the packed crowd, her eyes darting around like she was searching for someone.
---
“Claire, there are so many people here today. Do you think that guy—what's his name—might be here too? He came from Minghai to our school for the exam, right?”
A tall, slender girl—about 1.75 meters—put on an indifferent face, tugged at the arm of the petite, doll-like girl next to her, and asked the question like it was no big deal.
“His name’s Evan Lin. Nina, you totally remember—stop pretending you don’t. That’s not cute.” Beside her, Claire Sheng covered her mouth and giggled, clearly used to Nina Pei’s little act.
“Oh, Evan Lin, huh? I so don’t remember his name. Why would I bother remembering his name?” Nina’s cheeks flushed, but she quickly covered it up.
“Dad said he really is in Minghai right now, but who knows what he’s up to.” Claire didn’t call out Nina’s childish lie and just frowned slightly. “He might be around here somewhere, you never know.”
“But with him, I bet there’ll be tons of girls around.”
Claire’s eyes dimmed for a moment, her expression suddenly distant.
---
"Do you think Master Lin from Seacrest has arrived yet?"
Sawyer Summer glanced around, searching the crowds with his eyes.
The snow piled thickly on Trinity Peak, and everywhere you looked, people were climbing up the mountain despite the heavy snowfall.
Most of them moved swiftly across the snow, totally unfazed by the weather—clearly, many were martial experts.
"No idea. I just called him, but nobody picked up."
Summer Mu let out a sigh and shook his head.
The Summer Family had soared to the top of Seacrest thanks to Master Lin from Seacrest, becoming the richest clan in the region. But today, the duel between Master Lin and Master Morgan would decide the family's fate.
"If Master Lin wins today, the Zuo family will be wiped out and our Summer Family can finally relax. But if Master Morgan wins, Summer Mu, you can go live the free life you've always wanted." Sawyer Summer smiled and glanced at his son.
He used to care deeply about the Summer Family's rise, but these days, Sawyer Summer seemed much less attached to wealth and status.
Summer Mu nodded quietly, worry flickering in his eyes.
The Zuo family was still watching them like a tiger stalking prey. The gap between them and the Summer Family was big for now, but with Master Morgan's reputation, catching up was only a matter of time.
---
"Back then, Master Lin from Seacrest slew Gavin Cheng, a fourth-grade Vajra, and personally crippled Elder Mark Mu from Medicine King Valley. He was truly peerless. But today's duel with Master Morgan is just too dangerous."
Wendy Ding, her figure graceful and alluring, sighed as she spoke—just one glance from her was enough to stir any man's heart.
Beside her, Yvonne Ding looked nervous and uneasy.
She remembered that day, sitting in the passenger seat and watching Master Lin from Seacrest—back when he was just an unknown young driver.
Thinking back now, her heart was full of complicated emotions.
---
"Master, who do you think is stronger—Master Lin from Seacrest or Master Morgan? Who will win this battle in the end?"
Faye Zheng’s expression softened, losing its usual chill and showing a hint of obedience.
Standing next to her was Master Yan, an old man dressed in black, his hair and brows snowy white, his face stern.
Where he stood, the falling snow seemed to shy away, swirling aside as if by some invisible force—a sight as mysterious as it was impressive.
"Master Morgan has been famous for ages. Back in the day, even I could only look up to him. Someone like that would be considered a powerhouse even among the hidden sects."
"As for Master Lin from Seacrest, judging by his past battles, all he did was defeat a fourth-grade Vajra and slay River City's Number One, Drake Huang. But Drake was Master Morgan's disciple, and honestly, he couldn't even withstand a single finger from his master. The gap is huge—there's no suspense about the outcome."
Master Yan shook his head slightly.
He was the master of both Faye Zheng and Leo Li, known in Oceanport as Master Yan.
"Obviously! He's just Master Lin from Seacrest. What real skills could he have? If he thinks beating Drake Huang means he can take on Drake's master, he's dreaming!" Leo Li snorted with laughter.
Now that Master Yan was here, all that was left was to find Evan Lin. Leo Li was itching for his master to teach Evan a harsh lesson.
While Leo Li was talking, he didn’t notice someone behind him—until he was rammed in the shoulder, knocked flat onto the ground by a force so strong he ended up sprawled and embarrassed.
"Are you blind, you idiot? Want me to—"
Leo Li scrambled up, ready to curse, but felt an icy glare that made his scalp tingle. He saw the one who'd hit him—a tall, gaunt old man with shadowy eyes that seemed to pierce his soul, leaving Leo shivering in fear.
"Well, well, even Butcher Tu, the Tiger-Leopard Butcher, showed up. Looks like this gathering is really something."
Master Yan took a deep breath, murmuring to himself.
---
At the foot of the mountain, Mia Chen hesitated as she looked at the crowds.
"Maybe we should just forget it. There are so many people—let's go back and work on some problems instead."
Mia Chen wasn’t a fan of crowded places, especially in the snow.
"It's fine, it's fine! More people means more excitement. Besides, do you even know what day it is today?" Victor Zhou grinned.
"Today?"
"February 14th—Valentine's Day!" Victor Zhou said, face full of excitement.
But before he could finish, Mia Chen’s gaze shifted to the side.
There, Evan Lin was striding through the snow toward them.