Esteemed Personage Has Arrived!

Chen Nan was actually deeply resistant to this so-called additional preparation.

First of all, someone as weak and without backing as him was unlikely to achieve much by doing such a thing. It could easily fail to go through smoothly, or simply come to nothing.

Besides, Chen Nan also felt an instinctive resistance toward this matter.

But this was an opportunity for him to strike it rich, one that was even far better than buying lottery tickets.

So Chen Nan made up his mind and began assigning the rats new tasks.

Chen Nan went back to continue his peaceful life, while the rats began their underground work. One life in the open, another in secret—perhaps everyone lived this way.

Just like that, another ten days passed. It was September 10th, and the orphanage received definite news: the Preparatory Academy would send two assessors to complete this year's assignment.

For the entire orphanage, aside from those who treated it as news, only two people were particularly excited.

On the afternoon of September 11th, the Preparatory Academy's assessors arrived. Chen Nan and the others were assigned to the welcoming team and held a reception ceremony at the orphanage gates.

Two SUV-style vehicles arrived at the orphanage entrance. With Chen Nan's original perspective, he could tell that these two black cars were heavy and luxurious, absolutely the aristocracy among automobiles in this world.

Naturally, those who could ride in such cars were important figures as well.

The cars drove all the way to the middle of the courtyard before stopping. The drivers immediately got out and opened the rear doors for the people inside.

Director Wang displayed a rare humility, but the cunning and viciousness flourishing within him were simply too lush—like spring scenery that could not be contained, a red apricot branch thrusting over the wall—making that humility deeply repulsive to behold.

Fortunately, those who stepped out of the cars were no ordinary people. Their vision and horizons had long transcended the mundane world, so they did not pay much attention to the myriad faces of mortal life.

The two people who emerged from the cars were dressed unusually. Their robes fluttered, carrying an air of transcendence beyond the mortal realm. Looking at their features and skin, one could only say they were extraordinarily handsome, untouched by worldly dust.

The moment they appeared, their presence shook everyone there, making them feel like fireflies before starlight, like the mortal world before a bright moon—ashamed of their own inferiority.

Under the pressure of that presence, no one dared raise their heads to look. Yet Chen Nan felt something strange arise within him.

He felt as though an invisible force in his mind was stirring, faintly intent on contending against that presence.

He was startled and immediately suppressed that resistance. However, his sixth sense told him that the two of them had each glanced at him, intentionally or otherwise.

Sweat was already running down his temples. Chen Nan had never expected that beneath these so-called "immortals," mortals like them would have almost no secrets to hide.

"Everyone, there is no need to be so restrained. We came under orders and hope we have not disturbed you," one of the two said.

Director Wang immediately nodded. "Your Excellencies' arrival truly brings glory to this humble place. Please move to the guest room and rest for a while. Tonight, I have prepared a modest table of wine and food; I hope you will graciously accept it."

Just as the two were about to leave with Director Wang, the other noticed the ancient tree in the courtyard and asked, "Is this the old tree that was struck by lightning?"

Director Wang replied with an ingratiating smile, "Indeed, indeed. We will have to trouble Your Excellencies."

That man smiled faintly. "It is merely the lift of a hand. Since we are already here, we might as well heal the tree first. Going to the guest room afterward will not be too late."

Director Wang immediately twisted his body into a gesture resembling a kneel. "Ah, what a blessing for us ordinary folk! We actually get to witness Your Excellency's immortal art."

That instantly caused an uproar. People like these "Excellencies" were as rare as century-level protected animals on Earth. Ordinary people found them impossible to see, yet this time they had not only seen them, but would even get to watch them use immortal arts. Who knew how many lifetimes of cultivation such an opportunity required?

"Brother Li, is this appropriate?" the other asked.

Brother Li glanced at Director Wang and said with a smile, "Brother Xun is right. We have not yet asked Director Wang what he thinks."

Director Wang immediately raised both hands, looking as though the honor was too much for him. "Your Excellencies overstate it, you overstate it! What could possibly be inappropriate? Please do not spare your divine power and save this tree."

As he spoke, Director Wang cast a meaningful glance over.

Brother Li was named Li Yu, while Brother Xun was named Xun Xin. At that moment, they exchanged a look and smiled without speaking.

Li Yu was the one casting the spell. He stood before the ancient tree while everyone else spread out like bird wings, almost holding their breath as they watched. Chen Nan, in particular, paid close attention. Since coming to this world, this was the first time he had been able to watch someone use extraordinary power.

Li Yu formed a hand seal and muttered an incantation. Then, with fingers like a sword, he pointed at the ancient tree and shouted, "Hah!"

A green light shot out like flowing water and struck the ancient tree.

"Creak, creak..."

"Rumble..."

The sounds continued. The crack in the ancient tree slowly began to close, and within moments, it had completely healed.

If not for some broken branches that could not grow back, it would have seemed as though the tree had never been struck by lightning at all.

It was practically a resurrection from the dead. Everyone present was so shocked that they could not calm down for a long time. Director Wang immediately took the lead in applauding. It had to be said, people in high positions really were different—his emotional intelligence was exceptional.

Once he started clapping, the people around him also broke into thunderous applause. Clearly, these people had no sense of timing at all and could only follow behind others, step for step.

Li Yu smiled, wearing the look of an esteemed personage unconcerned with fame and vanity, and lightly waved a hand at Director Wang.

Director Wang immediately stopped clapping. The applause ceased, and he promptly bowed with a gesture of invitation.

The two esteemed personages, Li Yu and Xun Xin, smiled at everyone, displaying great bearing, then followed Director Wang and the orphanage's main leaders toward the guest room.

The others gradually dispersed as well. Only a few remained, staring blankly at the tree. Chen Nan was one of them, and Little Black Ox naturally stayed with him.

A tree so thick it took several people to encircle it was split from crown to root by a crack nearly the width of a man, yet he healed it so easily. That kind of power is truly too formidable! Chen Nan thought.

There was no denying that such power had shaken him, and a longing for it rose naturally in his heart. Unlike ordinary people, who mostly believed such things would never happen to them—perhaps they could dream about them, but intending to become such a person would be like a lunatic spouting madness.

As Chen Nan stared intently at the tree, a voice came from beside him. "You bastard, what are you looking at? Don't tell me you have some improper ambitions in that little head of yours. I'm telling you, forget it. You don't have that chance. Why don't you piss and take a good look at yourself?"

Chen Nan frowned. He truly disliked people who picked trouble for no reason, but people like that were like flies in life—there would always be some.

He sneered. "What, Tie Dan? You think you'll get such a chance?"

Tie Dan's thoughts were practically about to burst out of him. Chen Nan saw through that excitement, that desperate urge to speak, and that forced restraint to keep a secret.

Yet Tie Dan ultimately held it in. He only tossed out, "A mongrel like you can forget about it!" before leaving.

Chen Nan watched Tie Dan's retreating back and sneered inwardly. He was still just a child. Was acting like that any different from telling me the truth?

Could it be that this year's Preparatory Academy assessment would really select someone? From the look of it, Tie Dan seemed to be that person without a doubt.

Chen Nan found it strange, but then something suddenly came to mind, and he felt there was probably no doubt about it.

After entertaining the two esteemed personages in the guest room, Director Wang led them into a secret chamber.

"This box of Mana Crystals is a tribute from this lowly one to Your Excellencies," Director Wang said, his face piled high with smiles.

Li Yu did not accept it. Instead, he glanced at Xun Xin.

Director Wang's hand trembled beneath the table. He felt as though even his fatty liver and coronary atherosclerosis had eased, because all the grease had been scraped out. But for smooth dealings and a greater fortune in the future, he could only grit his teeth and smile. "Ah, I had an MRI half a month ago, and they said my lacunar infarction was severe. It seems it really is. I actually forgot such an important matter. I prepared two portions."

Another box of Mana Crystals was placed on the table.

Li Yu smiled. "Director Wang, it is not that we are greedy, but think about it. There are two of us—how are we supposed to divide one box? Why not take them all back?"

"Ah, Your Excellencies!" Director Wang nearly knocked his head against the table. "It is all this lowly one's fault, this head of mine!" As he spoke, he repeatedly struck his own head.

The two smiled. With a wave of their hands, the two boxes vanished.

Director Wang let out a long breath. Even the oily sweat covering his head seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and stopped seeping out. With an ingratiating smile, he said, "I must trouble the two of you with the matter of my eldest nephew."

As he spoke, he stood and walked over to his safe.

Opening it, he took out two items. One was an ancient zither, and the other was a painting scroll.

After placing them on the table, Director Wang smiled. "I know that you two are both men of refined taste. I specially prepared an ancient famous zither for you, as well as this fine work by Painting Sage Du Changming."

Li Yu went for the zither, while Xun Xin went for the painting. Both examined their respective items carefully. Then each of them discovered a golden card on it.

Those cards were used for transactions among high society. Only those with transaction volumes reaching tens of millions of yuan could possess them. Each card contained ten million yuan.