Second Traversal

Second Traversal

Lin Hao's guess had been correct.

Chairman Liao had indeed come to see Lin Yuan.

And his purpose was naturally more than simply offering congratulations.

Lin Hao was tactful. Upon hearing that Bureau Chief Liao had important matters to discuss with Lin Yuan,

he immediately rose and led everyone else out, leaving only Lin Yuan and Bureau Chief Liao to talk in the private room.

Lin Hao was the bureau chief's secretary. Even Huo Yanming's status as a military colonel could not suppress him in the slightest.

As for the others, none of them dared voice any objections and all withdrew from the private room.

Inside the private room.

Lin Yuan and Chairman Liao sat facing each other.

"Mr. Lin, I came to ask a favor of you."

Chairman Liao did not beat around the bush and spoke directly.

"Please, Chairman."

Lin Yuan said seriously.

He could more or less guess why the Chu Family and Huo Family had come.

But Chairman Liao's intentions were harder for Lin Yuan to discern.

First of all, the Evolutionary Association President also had a Level 2 citizen rank. Even if his Evolutionary rank was not as high as Lin Yuan's, it could not be much lower.

What could such a person possibly need from Lin Yuan?

"In one year, the Azure Wave Star Arena Battle will begin. I would like to ask Mr. Lin to represent East Ning City."

Chairman Liao said gravely.

"The arena battle?"

Lin Yuan was slightly taken aback.

Then he understood.

Arena battles were among the most popular events on Azure Wave Star and throughout the Universe Human Alliance.

On the arena stage, two Evolutionaries fought to determine a champion. The entire process was broadcast live, bloody and thrilling, and deeply beloved by citizens everywhere.

"Why me?"

Lin Yuan asked casually.

"Because Mr. Lin is from East Ning City and is under a hundred years old, which meets the requirements for the Star-level Arena Battle."

"More importantly, Mr. Lin's strength is extremely close to Tier 2."

"You already stand among the strongest in East Ning City. If we do not choose Mr. Lin, should we send Evolutionaries far weaker than you instead?"

Chairman Liao answered truthfully.

Azure Wave Star's arena battles selected Evolutionaries from each major city, who then competed against one another to determine their relative strength and victory.

"To be honest, East Ning City's rankings in the past several arena battles have been dreadful. If this year's arena battle turns out as usual, I, the Evolutionary Association President, may as well resign in disgrace."

A trace of bitterness appeared on Chairman Liao's face.

The Evolutionary Association was responsible for managing and cultivating all local Evolutionaries.

East Ning City's Evolutionaries were weak and could not achieve any notable rankings in the arena battle, so he, as association president, naturally bore the primary responsibility.

This was also one of the Universe Human Alliance's methods for stimulating Evolutionaries' potential and guiding the emergence of more powerful Evolutionaries.

Of course, if they could achieve a good ranking in the arena battle, such as entering the top three thousand, they would receive official rewards.

"So that was it."

Lin Yuan immediately understood.

"Rest assured, Mr. Lin. As long as you can make it into the top five thousand in this arena battle, the Evolutionary Association will offer fifty million Civilization Coins as a reward."

Afraid that Lin Yuan would refuse, Chairman Liao immediately made the promise.

Based on previous events, roughly ten thousand Evolutionaries would participate in the arena battle.

Ranking among the top five thousand out of ten thousand Evolutionaries was about average.

The main reason was that they had ranked near the bottom in the previous few events. Chairman Liao had been beaten badly enough that he no longer sought to break into the top three thousand for official rewards. As long as they remained within the top five thousand and avoided punishment, that would be enough.

"Fifty million?"

Lin Yuan's heart stirred slightly at the words.

No one would complain about having too much money, especially not Lin Yuan, who was desperately short of it.

Putting aside everything else, he alone had a great demand for Advanced Nutrient Solution.

After returning from his first traversal, Lin Yuan had used up twenty-one bottles of Advanced Nutrient Solution just to restore his full strength.

After completing the next traversal, how many bottles would he need? And once his strength grew even greater, Advanced Nutrient Solution alone would likely be nowhere near enough. He would probably need even more restricted resources.

And all of that required money.

If he could earn fifty million, Lin Yuan's financial pressure over the next few years should lessen considerably.

"All right."

"I'll think about it."

After pondering for a while, Lin Yuan nodded.

"No problem."

Chairman Liao said without concern.

There was still a full year before the arena battle, so there was plenty of time. Chairman Liao was not in any hurry for Lin Yuan to give him an immediate answer.

Outside the private room.

A large group of people waited uneasily, guessing at what was happening.

"Shoucheng, your son's future achievements will be limitless."

Lin Hao looked at the anxious Lin Shoucheng and sighed.

As soon as he said this,

the relatives around them all showed complicated expressions.

Originally, quite a few of them had felt jealousy and similar emotions toward Lin Yuan.

But now, such feelings had long since vanished without a trace.

When the gap between two sides became too vast to bridge, jealousy and resentment became difficult to summon.

And Lin Yuan was a perfect example of that right now.

Even the Evolutionary Association President had personally come to discuss important matters with Lin Yuan. Any normal person could infer what that meant.

"You little bastard."

"You still have the nerve to stand here?"

Lin Hao cast a glance at his son, and anger immediately rose in his heart.

If not for those last few remarks from his son Lin Yan, then just his intention to transfer the bureau's slot to Lin Yuan would have earned him a considerable favor.

But now, because of Lin Yan, even if that favor remained, it had likely shrunk substantially.

"Dad."

Lin Yan hung his head.

How could he have known that Lin Yuan possessed such influence? Figures from the business world, the military district, and even someone as important as the Evolutionary Association President had all come personally to visit him.

Lin Yan's heart was still trembling. Especially just now, when Chairman Liao of the Evolutionary Association had openly stated that he came for Lin Yuan, his legs had nearly gone limp.

Half an hour later.

Lin Yuan and Chairman Liao emerged from the private room.

After Chairman Liao took his leave, the Chu Family and Huo Family also said their goodbyes one after another.

This was, after all, someone else's family banquet. Having come merely to visit Lin Yuan, they could not stay any longer as outsiders.

After they left,

the Lin Family banquet continued.

But at this point, no one still had the mind to take part in the banquet.

Their hearts were filled with shock and complicated emotions, and their gazes toward Lin Yuan were full of confusion and awe.

An hour later.

The Lin Family banquet ended.

Countless relatives seemed to want to say something and tried to approach Lin Yuan.

Yet they lacked the courage.

"Xiao Yuan, what exactly is going on?"

After they returned home, his mother, Lu Qiong, could not help asking.

Lin Yuan had thoroughly stolen the spotlight at this family banquet, but afterward, Lu Qiong felt somewhat uneasy.

"Mom, don't worry."

"When I registered as an Evolutionary last time, I was classified as Tier 1 Stage 12."

Lin Yuan said it lightly.

"Tier 1 Stage 12?"

Lu Qiong nearly thought she was dreaming.

She had barely seen any Unranked Evolutionaries, let alone a Tier 1 Stage 12 Evolutionary.

"My son is a Stage 12 Evolutionary?"

Lin Shoucheng looked dazed.

Just like that.

Time slowly passed.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had gone by.

Water Moon District, Number Thirty-Two.

Underground training ground.

Lin Yuan sat cross-legged.

Suddenly.

As if sensing something.

Lin Yuan immediately focused his mind deep within his consciousness.

He saw that the outer edge of the towering, majestic, magnificent Door of Myriad Worlds had been completely lit up.