Warning

Lin Yuan turned his head and saw a tall, burly-looking boy running over.

It was Du Quan, Lin Yuan's deskmate and friend from school.

Du Quan jogged over and threw an arm around Lin Yuan's shoulders. "Where the hell have you been these past two weeks? When I asked Aunt Lu, she said you were busy."

Lin Yuan smiled but said nothing.

Du Quan did not think much of it. Suddenly, surprise appeared on his face as he reached out and felt Lin Yuan's shoulders and chest.

"Brother, it's only been half a month, but you've gotten a lot stronger, haven't you?"

Du Quan clicked his tongue in amazement.

"Really?"

Lin Yuan was not surprised.

Not long ago, Lin Yuan had refined twenty-one bottles of Advanced Nutrient Solution.

By conservation of energy, although most of the energy from those twenty-one bottles of Advanced Nutrient Solution had been converted into vital energy and mental power, his physical body had inevitably been affected as well.

That was only because the Martial Path of Evolution created by Lin Yuan emphasized concealment and restraint. If an Evolver following another Evolutionary Path had rashly absorbed so much energy,

even if they had not suddenly grown much taller or become built like an ox, they would not have been far off.

How could they be like Lin Yuan, who merely looked somewhat stronger?

After marveling for a while, Du Quan immediately pointed at several people walking toward them from nearby.

"Look who's here."

Lin Yuan swept his gaze over them and immediately recognized them as classmates.

"We've graduated, so we came out to have some fun," Du Quan explained.

He had originally wanted to invite Lin Yuan too, but Lin Yuan had not been home, so he had no choice but to give up.

Just then, those people came closer.

"Lin Yuan, why are you here? Waiting for someone?"

A refined-looking man wearing glasses asked casually.

"You're Lin Yuan? It's only been a few days, but you feel very different." A girl looked him over, slightly surprised.

"Hello, everyone." Seeing that they had all arrived, Lin Yuan gave them a perfunctory greeting.

In truth, the original Lin Yuan had been a man of few words. If not for Du Quan, he would never have spent time with these people.

These people were mainly divided into two groups.

One group was led by the refined man with glasses, Chu Shiyu.

Chu Shiyu came from a good family and did well academically, so many classmates were willing to get close to him.

The other group was led by Huo Qingyao. He had an extraordinary background, with elders serving in the military. Back in school, he had feared neither heaven nor earth.

Du Quan, meanwhile, was good at socializing and smoothing things over. He got along well with both sides, and because he was loyal, both Chu Shiyu and Huo Qingyao showed him respect.

There were also several girls present.

"Lin Yuan, look who this is. She's our class beauty, and she's already been accepted by a Higher Academy. I invited her here too. Pretty impressive of me, right?"

Du Quan pointed at a tall girl and said smugly.

She had delicate features, and a simple pair of jeans outlined her curvy, shapely hips and legs.

It was Zhao Qiwen.

"Lin... Lin Yuan?"

Zhao Qiwen's heart was far from calm.

Ever since she had personally seen the utterly ordinary-looking Lin Yuan at the Water Moon District sales office being respectfully ushered into the VIP room, buying a standalone residence worth over ten million, while even Manager Wang stood beside him with utmost deference,

Zhao Qiwen had realized that Lin Yuan's identity was anything but simple.

The entire class, even the whole school's teachers and students, had been fooled by Lin Yuan.

She had agreed to Du Quan's invitation this time because Du Quan had the best relationship with Lin Yuan.

Perhaps Lin Yuan would attend too. Otherwise, with her personality, how could she possibly join such a meaningless gathering? Yet after arriving and discovering that Lin Yuan was not there, she had been disappointed—only to see him now. Such emotional ups and downs had left Zhao Qiwen's thoughts in disarray.

"Hello, Lin Yuan."

Zhao Qiwen steadied herself, then took the initiative to extend her right hand toward Lin Yuan.

This startled Du Quan. Zhao Qiwen had always been aloof. Even people like Huo Qingyao and Chu Shiyu, rich second-generation heirs, received no special treatment from her. Why would she take the initiative to shake Lin Yuan's hand?

"Hello."

Lin Yuan reached out and shook her hand in return.

The group exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Then they found seats and sat down.

Chu Shiyu called over a staff member and ordered each person a cup of the coffee shop's signature coffee.

"Brother Yu is really generous."

Du Quan flattered him from the side.

The shop's signature coffee was not cheap. Each cup cost nearly thirty Yuan, and with so many people, the total came to more than two hundred—equivalent to nearly half a month's living expenses back in school.

Once seated, they began chatting.

"I didn't do well on the college entrance exam. I chose a third-rate university, and I don't even know what I'll do after graduation."

One girl sighed.

"Isn't that easy? Aren't you close with Brother Yu? After graduation, just go work at Brother Yu's family company."

Du Quan teased her from the side.

"You!"

The girl pretended to be angry, but inwardly she was delighted, occasionally stealing glances at Chu Shiyu.

"Du Quan is right. Come work at my company after graduation. You'll be well compensated." Chu Shiyu waved a hand grandly.

How could he possibly pass up such an opportunity to show off in front of his classmates? University graduation was still far away anyway. They could worry about the future when it came.

"Then thank you, Brother Yu."

The girl hurriedly thanked him.

They drank coffee and chatted.

Before long, the conversation turned to Lin Yuan.

"Come to think of it, Lin Yuan, you should be on the conscription list, right?"

As if remembering something, Huo Qingyao spoke up.

The moment he said that,

the surroundings fell silent.

Everyone's gaze turned toward Lin Yuan.

During ordinary times, military recruitment was not necessarily a bad thing. After discharge, they would even help arrange jobs.

For ordinary people, that was already a decent outcome.

But this conscription was aimed at the alien races. For confidentiality reasons, those placed on the conscription list would most likely never return. Even if they did not die in battle, they would find it difficult to see anyone again for the rest of their lives.

Although the government would provide compensation and properly settle their families, they themselves would definitely become sacrifices.

"It's all just rumors. What alien races? In my opinion, it's nothing more than gossip."

Du Quan immediately said.

"That's true."

"The government hasn't publicly mentioned it. Maybe it's just normal recruitment."

"Right. Lin Yuan, don't take it too seriously. Maybe after you retire, you'll be transferred back to work in the military district."

The others tried to comfort Lin Yuan.

Of course, they were only offering comfort.

In reality, no one was optimistic about this conscription.

Although the government had not explicitly revealed the purpose of this recruitment, compensation had already been issued to everyone on the conscription list.

That was no secret. Anyone with even a little interest could find out.

After all, if it were merely ordinary recruitment, would they offer so much compensation?

"There may not be no hope. My eldest uncle works in the military district. When I get home tonight, I'll ask him and see whether something can be adjusted."

Huo Qingyao spoke at that moment.

He was the only person present with a military background, and thus the one with the most confidence to say such things.

"Then we'll have to trouble you, Brother Yao."

Du Quan immediately said upon hearing this.

This time, he was not flattering him. He was sincerely grateful.

As a classmate and friend of so many years, he did not want Lin Yuan to embark on a road of no return either.

The others, especially the girls, immediately brightened up at those words.

Huo Qingyao's statement revealed a great deal. Most obviously, he might be able to influence the conscription list. That was an incredible display of connections and influence.

Compared to that, Chu Shiyu's earlier promise to arrange a job seemed insignificant.

What was a job compared to Huo Qingyao, who could potentially influence military conscription?

For a time, apart from Zhao Qiwen, several girls present—including the one who had wanted Chu Shiyu to arrange work for her—all began moving closer to Huo Qingyao.

Lin Yuan sat beside them. Rather than feeling disgusted by Huo Qingyao thumping his chest with confidence, he found it somewhat amusing.

The conscription list had been reviewed by the Goddess of Wisdom. How could it be changed just because someone said so? Still, Huo Qingyao was ultimately trying to help him, even if the true purpose of that help was to suppress Chu Shiyu.

At Lin Yuan's current level, the open and covert rivalry between Huo Qingyao and Chu Shiyu was as laughable as children playing house.

"It's about time."

"I should go."

"Someone's waiting for me."

Lin Yuan checked the time and stood to say goodbye.

Then, before anyone could respond, he walked straight out of the coffee shop and toward the roadside.

"Hm?"

Everyone present frowned at the sight.

Huo Qingyao in particular felt displeased. He had promised to ask his eldest uncle when he got home. While he had not guaranteed anything, Lin Yuan should at least have thanked him.

Yet Lin Yuan had not said a single word. He had sat there quietly, and now he had even casually found an excuse to leave?

Such rude behavior made Huo Qingyao somewhat resentful.

"This guy..."

Huo Qingyao looked through the coffee shop window at Lin Yuan's retreating figure, just about to say something.

At that moment,

a sleek, entirely black Hovercar stopped by the roadside.

More precisely, it stopped in front of Lin Yuan.

"That Hovercar's license plate..."

Chu Shiyu noticed it as well, and his gaze instantly focused on the plate.

His family did not have military connections, but they often dealt with the government. He immediately recognized the plate on the Black Hovercar as one reserved for government use.

Vehicles with such plates could enter special routes. Not only were the distances shorter, they also avoided the possibility of traffic jams.

However, such specially supplied Hovercars were generally used only to transport important figures. Why had one stopped in front of Lin Yuan now?

It has to be a coincidence. It must be a coincidence.

Chu Shiyu could not help thinking.

But then, under everyone's watchful eyes, a tall man got out of the Black Hovercar and respectfully ushered Lin Yuan into the vehicle.

This...

Everyone fell silent once more.

They had originally thought Lin Yuan's claim that someone was waiting for him had merely been an excuse.

They had not expected it to be true. Moreover, the person waiting for him had come in a government-issued vehicle.

"That plate belongs to the Evolutionary Association. I saw plates like that before when I accompanied my uncle to the association on business."

As if recalling something, Chu Shiyu spoke again.

The Evolutionary Association.

Huo Qingyao's expression changed slightly.

Among all the government departments, the Evolutionary Association was undoubtedly one of the most difficult to provoke.

They managed the Evolver community and were exceptionally powerful and influential.

But why would the powerful Evolutionary Association send a dedicated vehicle to pick up a student like Lin Yuan? Everyone was filled with doubt.

It made no sense at all.

"Hahaha, maybe the military district and the Evolutionary Association have some kind of cooperation."

Huo Qingyao racked his brains and came up with that explanation.

"Probably."

"That must be it."

The others nodded slightly.

Although this explanation was absurd—the Evolutionary Association and the military district had always belonged to separate systems, so what cooperation could they have?—it was the only way to explain the scene before them.

After all, Lin Yuan had been on the conscription list. The only possible connection he could have to the Evolutionary Association was through the various military districts behind that conscription.

"A few days ago, I checked the conscription announcement again and discovered that Lin Yuan's name is no longer on the conscription list."

At that moment, Zhao Qiwen, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly spoke.

The moment she said that,

everyone froze.

Huo Qingyao in particular had his expression completely stiffen.

He was not an idiot. He knew exactly how difficult it was to get someone removed from a conscription list, especially for Mandatory Conscription.

Although he had confidently claimed that he would ask his eldest uncle after returning home, he had only meant that he would make a routine inquiry. He estimated that his uncle would not have any solution either.

Even if there were a way, the price would be terrifying. There was no way anyone would pay it for an outsider.

But now, Lin Yuan's name had really been removed from the list?

"Impossible."

"I want to consult the Goddess of Wisdom."

Huo Qingyao immediately connected to the network. After discovering that Lin Yuan's name was not on the list, he promptly applied to connect with the Goddess of Wisdom to inquire why Lin Yuan had been exempted from conscription.

The next moment.

A solemn, majestic female voice rang directly in Huo Qingyao's ears.

"Warning, First Level Citizen Huo Qingyao. You are querying information beyond your authority and are suspected of violating Article 560 of the Charter."

"This is your first warning. If you continue your inquiry, you will be sent to the Supreme Court for trial."

Hearing the Goddess of Wisdom's icy warning, Huo Qingyao's face turned pale. Terrified, he collapsed onto the floor.

The Universe Human Alliance's Supreme Court had always tried only the most heinous criminals. Anyone brought before the Supreme Court was burdened with major crimes and had caused extraordinarily severe consequences.

Who was Huo Qingyao to deserve the Supreme Court's time and attention? His teeth chattered, and his legs began trembling uncontrollably.