Spark Program!

As the interference outside the hotel was cleared, a large number of people inside soon began reporting the incident. The Skysea Security Division and the Crimson Flame Tianhai Branch also arrived at the hotel as quickly as possible and began cleaning up the aftermath.

"Hello, Assistant Lin. My name is Li Xin, deputy minister of the Crimson Flame Tianhai Branch." A short-haired woman with a heroic air quickly found the Lin family.

"Hello, Minister Li. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Lin Hai shook hands with Deputy Minister Li, somewhat flattered.

Skysea Island occupied a rather special position within Great Xia. Though its area was only equivalent to that of a city, its administrative status ranked just below that of the major directly governed municipalities.

Therefore, although the Crimson Flame branch here ranked half a level below the provincial-level Crimson Flame branch in North Heaven, it also ranked half a level above the Crimson Flame Longjiang Branch.

In other words, Deputy Minister Li's rank should have been equivalent to that of Lin Hai's current superior—the minister of the Crimson Flame Longjiang Branch.

Facing such an important figure, Lin Hai could not help feeling somewhat restrained.

"I've roughly understood the situation. Thank you for your help this time. I'll report your contributions to the Crimson Flame Longjiang Branch on your behalf, Assistant Lin. At the very least, you'll receive a Third-Class Merit." Deputy Minister Li smiled.

"Thank you, Minister Li!"

Lin Hai was immediately thrilled.

If he truly received a Third-Class Merit, not only would he obtain higher-grade genetic medicine and further improve his strength, but it would also mean he had a chance to be promoted to an official Crimson Flame member next year!

At that point, he would be a bona fide Level Four Authority User, able to stand on equal footing with a district chief of the Dragon River Security Division!

How could he not be excited when he had spent so many years as a detective captain without being able to advance any further?

However, Lin Xuan and Lin Wu both frowned slightly at the same time.

The brothers exchanged a glance, each seeing the confusion in the other's eyes.

After their father, Lin Hai, and their eldest sister, Lin Rou, returned and everyone exchanged information, the family understood what kind of enemy they had faced this time.

Given Crimson Flame's efficiency, they should have already identified those dangerous individuals by now. Wouldn't they find it strange how Lin Hai, a mere field assistant, had resolved such a crisis?

Then Lin Xuan suddenly thought of something. He spread his arms toward Deputy Minister Li and said, "Auntie Li, hug—"

"You brat, don't call her that. She isn't Auntie Li... Uh, I mean, she isn't that Auntie Li."

Lin Hai had intended to stop his son from shouting nonsense, but halfway through, he realized his words sounded ambiguous. He became even more awkward and explained to Deputy Minister Li, "Please forgive him, Minister Li. This brat must have mistaken you for someone else."

Deputy Minister Li merely shook her head and smiled. "No need to be nervous, Assistant Lin. Come to think of it, we're not exactly strangers... Little Lin Xuan, if Auntie Li isn't mistaken, you're the one who saved Duo Duo, aren't you?"

Lin Hai and Ye Hongyu both looked at Deputy Minister Li in astonishment.

"Minister Li, you..." Lin Hai trailed off.

"Li Xue is my cousin, and that little girl Duo Duo is my niece." Deputy Minister Li said with a smile.

Only then did the Lin family understand why Deputy Minister Li had felt somewhat different from the very beginning and why she had been especially polite to them.

Given her status, no matter how approachable she was, the difference in their positions was there for all to see. Logically, she should not have treated them this way.

But if she was Li Xue's cousin, then it was no longer strange.

After all, Lin Xuan had just saved Duo Duo once. Both Li Xue and Zhang Ruoyu were immensely grateful to the Lin family.

After learning that Deputy Minister Li was Li Xue's cousin, Lin Hai finally stopped feeling as constrained as before and chatted with her for a few more moments.

However, what no one expected was that Lin Wu, usually the quietest member of the family, suddenly said to Deputy Minister Li, "Minister Li, our family should count as having done your Tianhai Branch a major favor this time, right?"

"Hm?" Deputy Minister Li looked at Lin Wu.

"We foiled the Scarlet Church's scheme and kept every member of the Starving Wolf Gang behind. That isn't a small contribution, is it?" Lin Wu continued.

"Do you think the Third-Class Merit for your father is too little?" Deputy Minister Li showed no impatience. Instead, she smiled and said, "Crimson Flame has always been fair. Our Tianhai Branch will not claim credit for contributions that are not ours, so you can rest assured."

"Lin Wu, what nonsense are you talking about?!"

Lin Hai grew anxious at once and angrily rebuked Lin Wu.

Lin Wu's words were truly rather offensive, especially since the other party was Duo Duo's elder. Whether publicly or privately, it was inappropriate.

But Lin Wu did not look at his father. He continued, "No, I think a Third-Class Merit is already enough for my father. I only said all this because I want to ask Minister Li for an opportunity."

"Oh? What opportunity?" Deputy Minister Li asked with interest.

"I hope to obtain an opportunity for my little brother to join the Spark Program," Lin Wu said after a brief pause.

What the hell?

How did this get dragged back to me?

Lin Xuan had also been wondering why his second brother, Lin Wu, had suddenly stepped forward so uncharacteristically and insisted on speaking despite their father's anger.

He had not expected the conversation to turn to him.

"What is the Spark Program?" Lin Xuan was a little dumbfounded.

He had never heard the term before, and his second brother Lin Wu had never mentioned it to him.

Lin Xuan swept his gaze over his family, only to find confusion on their faces as well. Even his eldest sister, Lin Rou, was no exception.

Clearly, none of them knew what this Spark Program was.

However, Deputy Minister Li's expression tightened slightly. "How did you learn about the Spark Program?"

Lin Wu said, "May I decline to answer that?"

Deputy Minister Li was taken aback, then laughed. "Of course."

"Thank you," Lin Wu said.

"However, you'd best not mention this matter outside," Deputy Minister Li said. "After all, it is a Level Six secret. In principle, Authority Users below Level Six have no right to know of it.

"As for the Spark Program, our Tianhai Branch does indeed have an extra recommendation slot. But are you sure you want your little brother to go?

"It isn't that I'm unwilling to do you this favor. Since he saved Duo Duo, even without this latest contribution, I could still fight for a slot for him if you asked.

"But since you know about the Spark Program, you should also know that the program itself carries risks. Your little brother is only three this year... As far as I know, the youngest Spark Program participants recommended from various places are already five years old, and they are Mutants who awakened supernatural abilities from birth."

Lin Wu said with certainty, "My little brother is not inferior to anyone. I can guarantee that with my life. If Minister Li does not believe me, you can personally test him before making a decision."

Deputy Minister Li gave Lin Xuan a thoughtful look, then shook her head. "There's no need for a test. Since you've put it that way, I'll definitely help with this... Besides, the Spark Program itself has an aptitude assessment. If he fails it, recommending him will be useless anyway. In short, make your preparations. I'll give you an answer within three days."

"Thank you, Minister Li!"

Lin Wu clasped his hands toward Deputy Minister Li.

"..."

Lin Xuan watched this unfold speechlessly.

Though he was the subject of their conversation, he had no idea what this so-called Spark Program even was. It was like being dumbfounded on a dumbfounded tree, with dumbfounded fruit beneath it—you and me both.

The five utterly baffled members of the Lin family waited until Deputy Minister Li had left before all turning their gazes toward Lin Wu.

Even Lin Wu, who was always calm, suddenly felt immense pressure.