Chapter 24: A Family Banquet
Chapter 24: A Family Banquet
"Twelve levels?"
"Tier One, Level Twelve?"
The president of the Evolvers Association was a little dazed.
He wasn't so much surprised by the existence of a Tier One, Level Twelve evolver. After all, even in the entire city of Dongning, such evolvers were at the very pinnacle of power.
But the president had an extraordinary background himself. To have reached his position, he had even come across genuine Tier Two evolvers.
What shocked him about Lin Yuan was that this was his first registration, yet he was already at Tier One, Level Twelve.
It was common knowledge that the progression of an evolver's power went through gradual stages. It was impossible to jump straight from Tier One to Tier Two overnight.
The standards set by the Cosmic Human Alliance for classifying the strength of evolvers within tiers were extremely strict. A Tier Two evolver's internal energy fluctuations were a hundred times more potent than those of a Tier One evolver.
Such a huge gap was not something that could be easily bridged in a short time. Yet, here was Lin Yuan, reaching Tier One, Level Twelve on his very first registration.
The association president had two speculations about this.
One, Lin Yuan was extremely patient. He might have become an evolver a long time ago but chose not to register, keeping his abilities hidden until he reached Tier One, Level Twelve.
This possibility didn't seem very likely. With the strict control the Human Alliance had over evolvers, it was highly unlikely that an unregistered evolver could go unnoticed while displaying their powers. Even if Lin Yuan's status as a second-class citizen exempted him from punishment, the association president would surely have been informed. He wouldn't be in the dark about it as he was now.
The second speculation was that Lin Yuan had an abnormally terrifying evolutionary talent. He might have progressed from Tier One, Level One to Level Twelve in just a few years, or even less than a decade.
For a Tier One evolver, with the lifespan extension technology provided by the Human Alliance, living to the age of five hundred was an easy feat. So, a few years was relatively insignificant.
The association president leaned towards the second speculation.
While the president analyzed the situation calmly, Zhu Qianqian, who was standing beside him, had her mouth slightly agape.
Goodness gracious.
This was a twelve-level evolver! She had been working at the association for almost two years, and this was the first time she had ever seen a twelve-level evolver.
In a place like Dongning City, a Tier One, Level Twelve evolver was already the pinnacle of power. Their numbers could rival those of second-class citizens, and they weren't people one would encounter casually.
And to think that this twelve-level evolver was Lin Yuan, who looked no different from an ordinary person.
This contrast made Zhu Qianqian feel even more incredulous.
According to the official standard, a Tier One, Level Twelve evolver should possess enough strength to reduce a several dozen-meter-tall building to rubble with a single strike.
The thought of such immense power residing within Lin Yuan's body was simply mind-boggling to Zhu Qianqian.
"Let's go."
"We'll go greet Mr. Lin."
The association president needed only a couple of breaths' worth of time to think before deciding to head personally to the assessment room to await Lin Yuan's emergence.
Initially, the president had only intended to meet Lin Yuan and establish a good relationship with him. But now, having speculated about Lin Yuan's terrifying evolutionary talent, he felt it prudent to lower his stance a little.
Assessment Room:
Lin Yuan opened his eyes and rose from the virtual world cabin.
"Pity."
Lin Yuan shook his head slightly.
After defeating the twelfth opponent, the assessment space had immediately conjured a Tier Two opponent.
Lin Yuan hadn't backed out but instead wanted to see how far he lagged behind those at Tier Two.
The result was evident.
He had lasted only three moves before being crushed.
"Tier Two..."
Countless insights flashed through Lin Yuan's mind. With his heaven-defying comprehension, he began to slowly grasp the path to the next tier.
Just by fighting a single Tier Two evolver, he had started to understand the essence of that tier. If word of this got out, he wondered how many evolvers would bang their heads against a wall out of sheer frustration.
Compared to him, most other evolvers seemed to be living the life of a dog.
But to Lin Yuan, this was a common occurrence.
With his heaven-defying comprehension, Lin Yuan was constantly in a state of enlightenment. Even without fighting a Tier Two evolver, it was inevitable that he would eventually comprehend the Tier Two realm; it was only a matter of time.
"I've got a general idea of the direction now. With this, I should be able to break through in less than five years."
A smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
Coming to the Evolvers Association this time had indeed been a fruitful endeavor. Not only had he registered himself, but he had also gained insight into the path ahead.
Lin Yuan pushed open the door and saw Zhu Qianqian standing outside with a middle-aged man.
"Mr. Lin, this is our association president," Zhu Qianqian introduced promptly.
"Association President?"
Lin Yuan looked at the middle-aged man.
The president of the Evolvers Association was undoubtedly a big shot, likely ranking among the top five most influential people in all of Dongning City.
"My surname is Liao," the middle-aged man said amiably as he stepped forward.
"Don't stand on ceremony over something like being the association president. I'm probably just a few years older than you, Mr. Lin. If you don't mind, you can just call me Brother Liao."
Brother Liao's warm and friendly attitude was evident.
The two men chatted for a while before Lin Yuan took his leave.
Brother Liao personally saw Lin Yuan out.
The next day, Lin Yuan returned home.
"Remember to be a little more pleasant tomorrow," his mother, Lu Qiong, reminded him as she cooked. "Even though you're an evolver now, you shouldn't be too aloof. They're still your relatives, and even as an evolver, you should know how to navigate social relationships. You might need their help someday."
"I understand."
Lin Yuan finished off his sister's cake in two bites and then turned his attention to the large bag of snacks beside it.
Tomorrow was the day of the family banquet, where Lin Yuan's distant relatives would gather to celebrate his evolution and spend time together.
Lin Yuan, of course, remembered this occasion, as his father, Lin Shoucheng, had mentioned it to him a few days ago.
"Hey, old Lin, should we book a few tables at the Starry Grand Hotel?"
Mother Lu Qiong asked hesitantly.
The reason for her hesitation was that the Starry Grand Hotel was one of the most luxurious hotels in Donghai City, and the cost of booking a table there was equivalent to several months of Lin Shoucheng's salary.
Lu Qiong felt it was a bit extravagant.
"Book? Of course, we'll book at the Starry Grand."
Lin Shoucheng replied without a moment's hesitation.
"Your Uncle Hao has specially invited Lin Hao, who is a secretary to one of the directors in our city. We can't lose face for Little Yuan."
Lin Shoucheng explained.
"Lin Hao?"
Mother Lu Qiong was a little dazed.
With Lin Hao's social status, their families were practically from different worlds.
Lin Shoucheng rarely even had the opportunity to meet Lin Hao.
Yet, because of Lin Yuan's evolution, they had managed to invite this distinguished guest.
"Then we should definitely book at the Starry Grand."
Lu Qiong nodded in agreement.
In her simple mindset, since Lin Hao was willing to take time out of his busy schedule to attend, their family should do their best to be good hosts.
The extra expense was justified.
Dongning City.
In a luxurious mansion.
Chu Shiyu stood with his head lowered.
Before him sat a man with a beard, his expression grave.
"You tried to look into your classmate's information, and the Wisdom Goddess's main consciousness issued you a warning?"
The bearded man asked again, his tone serious.
"Yes."
"Grandfather, I didn't mean to,"
Chu Shiyu's face paled, and his legs began to tremble.
The bearded man before him was none other than the founder of the Chu Corporation.
Today, he had been summoned to explain why he had received a warning from the Wisdom Goddess.
Chu Shiyu could only answer truthfully.
"Whether or not it was intentional is irrelevant. The fact that you received a warning from the Wisdom Goddess herself indicates that your classmate has an extraordinary background."
"Even if you didn't target him directly, if he takes it to heart, it could become a problem."
"Tomorrow, I will accompany you to visit your classmate's home and offer an apology."
The bearded man had made up his mind.
His cautious attitude was understandable given the seriousness of the situation.
They were dealing with the Wisdom Goddess, who ruled over the entire Human Alliance! Even Star Masters had to tread carefully, let alone the Chu family.
When it came to matters concerning the Wisdom Goddess, one could never be too careful.
"Yes, yes,"
Chu Shiyu replied, steeling himself.
In another mansion.
Huo Qingyao stood tall and straight as he video-called a man in military attire, his expression stern.
"Your classmate, who is under the watchful eye of the Wisdom Goddess, will likely go far."
"He will surely achieve great things."
The man in military attire on the video call spoke slowly.
"Great things?"
Huo Qingyao's eyes narrowed slightly.
The fact that his great-uncle would make such an assessment meant that Lin Yuan's future accomplishments would far surpass anything that could be contained within Dongning City.
"You really know how to cause trouble."
"Nonetheless, I'll make a trip there for you."
"Regardless of your classmate's future achievements, you must first mend your relationship with him."
"The other day, you boasted about altering the conscription list, and to anyone with a bit of insight, that was an obvious exaggeration."
"Tomorrow, I'll accompany you to apologize to him."
"I don't expect you to become friends, but at least don't make an enemy of him."
The man on the video call spoke.
Evolvers Association.
President Liao sat in his chair.
Soon, his secretary entered the room.
"Have you found out anything about Mr. Lin's background?"
President Liao asked, looking up.
"Sir, Mr. Lin Yuan's personal information is blocked by the Wisdom Goddess, and I dare not probe further for fear of repercussions."
The secretary replied directly.
"Blocked by the Wisdom Goddess?"
President Liao's expression turned solemn.
Why would the mighty Wisdom Goddess specifically block the information of a citizen, even if he were a second-class one? It made no sense.
There had to be another reason.
"However, while I couldn't find out about Mr. Lin, I did manage to gather some information about his parents."
"Mr. Lin's parents are natives of Dongning City, with no apparent connections to other places."
The secretary added.
"So, Mr. Lin is also from Dongning City?"
A gleam flashed in President Liao's eyes.
"Sir, what do you intend to do?"
The secretary guessed his superior's intentions and couldn't help but ask.
"Whether or not it will work out, I'll have to go and ask him in person."
"Cancel tomorrow's plans. I'll visit Mr. Lin's home myself and have a detailed chat with him."
President Liao said solemnly.
(End of Chapter)
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