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Li Xiulan looked at Wei Cang, her lips moving. Only after a long while did she murmur, "2.79... qi and blood... 9.21 combat power... a one-star martial artist..."

Lin Rongshan leaned back against the sofa, feeling as though all the strength had been drained from his body.

He opened his mouth, but something seemed to be blocking his throat, and he could not make a sound.

A one-star martial artist?

Capital Martial University?

Something he had never dared dream of in his entire life had actually happened to his own son.

If he remembered correctly, Jiang City had not produced a student capable of getting into Capital Martial University in nearly forty years.

His son, whose martial arts talent had been questioned for over a decade, was going to get into Capital Martial University?

If the man before him had not been City Lord Wei Cang, an important figure he had seen on television...

He would certainly have thought he had run into a scammer-and a poor one at that.

But these people were truly here in their home.

That meant all of this was real!

Li Xiulan finally came back to her senses, and tears fell without warning.

She did not sob. Her shoulders merely trembled slightly as she kept wiping her tears with the back of her hand, only for more to fall.

Lin Rongshan stood up and reached out with his rough hand, gently patting his wife's back.

Watching the overwhelmed couple, Wei Cang thought of what he had learned about Lin Hao's 0.3 qi and blood and could not help feeling moved.

Shen Ce smiled and continued praising him. "Lin Hao is outstanding. Not only is he a martial arts genius rarely seen in a century, but his talent for potions is even more astounding.

"The anonymous contestant who wore a mask throughout the Six-City Young Pharmacists Competition that ended a few days ago and refined a Beyond-Perfect-Grade Primordial Qi and Blood Potion was Lin Hao."

"What?" Li Xiulan had only just calmed down a little, but her emotions immediately surged again. "The... the pharmacists competition? The champion? Xiao Hao? When did he learn to refine potions?"

"Yes, officials, could you have made a mistake?"

Lin Rongshan frowned. Of course he wanted his son to be outstanding, but the person these officials were describing was simply too different from the son he knew.

Being certified as a one-star martial artist was already shocking enough.

Still, they could just about explain that to themselves as years of accumulation finally bearing fruit.

But the champion of the Six-City Young Pharmacists Competition?

As far as they knew, Lin Hao had never had any contact with potion refining. He probably could not even recognize more than a few medicinal ingredients.

Wei Cang and the others exchanged glances, all surprised as well.

They had not expected that even Lin Hao's parents did not know he could refine potions.

"This child really does keep a low profile," Wei Cang said with certainty. "But we haven't mistaken him for someone else. It was your son, Lin Hao."

"The potion circles across all six cities have gone crazy over Lin Hao," Chen Jingshan said with a smile, stroking his chin. "A Beyond-Perfect-Grade Primordial Qi and Blood Potion, with qi and blood activity more than twice the theoretical value.

"Even veteran pharmacists who've spent their entire lives at it can't refine one. Everyone in the industry is now calling Lin Hao the greatest pharmacy genius the six cities have seen in a hundred years. There's no limit to his future achievements."

Lin Rongshan and Li Xiulan sat on the sofa, looking at each other, each seeing the same sense of unreality in the other's eyes.

Yesterday, they had still been worrying about whether their son could pass the Martial Artist Examination.

Today, they had been told that their son had not only become a one-star martial artist and could attend Capital Martial University, but was also some greatest pharmacy genius of the six cities.

What had happened today was more extraordinary than everything they had experienced in their entire lives put together.

"There's no need for either of you to doubt it. Your son, Lin Hao, is truly outstanding."

Wei Cang spoke solemnly. "Lin Hao was born and raised here in Jiang City. He is Jiang City's pride. We came today not only to offer our congratulations, but also to make our position clear. Jiang City will spare no effort in supporting Lin Hao's growth."

After saying that, he gave Huang Keming a meaningful look.

Huang Keming cleared his throat, took a sheet of paper from his briefcase, and smiled. "In accordance with Jiang City's martial arts talent support policy, and taking Lin Hao's particular circumstances into account, we have provisionally drawn up the following terms of support.

"First, full reimbursement of all Lin Hao's cultivation, potion, and equipment expenses, with up to five million yuan in dedicated cultivation funding allocated annually.

"Second, his allotted housing will be upgraded to a fully furnished, luxuriously appointed 320-square-meter residence in River View Luxury Gardens, with permanent ownership.

"Third, employment will be arranged for Lin Hao's parents in the logistics department of the West City District Martial Arts Branch Bureau, with the benefits of permanent public-sector positions.

"Fourth, during Lin Hao's university studies, he will receive an additional monthly living allowance of 150,000 yuan.

"Fifth, if he returns to work in Jiang City after graduation, he will be appointed deputy director of the Jiang City Martial Arts General Bureau within five years. Upon passing his assessment within ten years, he may be promoted to deputy city lord."

After reading it out, he handed the sheet listing the proposed terms to Lin Rongshan.

The living room fell silent.

Lin Rongshan took the sheet, his hands trembling slightly despite himself.

Five million yuan in dedicated cultivation funding every year?

A monthly living allowance of 150,000 yuan?

A luxuriously appointed 320-square-meter home?

Permanent public-sector positions for him and his wife?

Xiao Hao could become deputy director of the Martial Arts General Bureau?

He might even... become deputy city lord?

These were things he had only ever heard about on television. Now, all of them had fallen into his son's lap.

Li Xiulan leaned over and looked at the words on the paper. Her lips moved, but she could not get a word out for a long time.

At that moment, however, Wei Cang's face darkened, his expression turning rather unpleasant.

The terms Huang Keming had offered were not at all what they had settled on in the car on their way here.

In the car, they had clearly agreed on fifteen million yuan in annual dedicated funding, a detached villa, and a monthly living allowance of 500,000 yuan.

Yet Huang Keming had slashed nearly two-thirds off in one stroke.

Sensing Wei Cang's gaze, Huang Keming gave him a meaningful look and gestured toward Lin Rongshan and his wife.

His meaning was clear: look at their reactions. This was enough. There was no need for more.

But Wei Cang's face remained cold, and he was deeply displeased.

Shen Ce understood Wei Cang's concerns too, but they were still in Lin Hao's home. This was no time for an outburst.

He quietly nudged Wei Cang's arm, then smiled at Lin Rongshan and his wife. "These are only preliminary terms. If there's anything either of you is unhappy with, please say so. Everything is open to discussion.

"After all, Lin Hao's talent deserves the best resources. We only hope that once he has completed his studies, he will return to Jiang City to pursue his career."

"We're happy! Very happy!" Lin Rongshan hastily waved his hands. "How could we be unhappy with anything? These terms are already excellent. But this is Xiao Hao's business, after all. We'll still have to wait for him to come back and let him decide for himself."

"Of course." Wei Cang suppressed his anger and forced a smile. "Then we'll wait here for Lin Hao to return. It'll be a good opportunity to speak with him in person."

Lin Rongshan carefully set the paper on the coffee table and hurriedly took out his phone. "I'll call him right now and tell him to hurry back and forget about buying groceries. We'll eat at a restaurant tonight."

Just as he was about to dial, the doorbell suddenly rang.

"That should be Xiao Hao." Li Xiulan hurriedly stood up, walked briskly to the entrance, and pulled the door open.

But once again, it was not Lin Hao standing outside, but three strangers.

The man in front wore a dark gray suit and gold-rimmed glasses. He had a refined air and carried an exquisite gift box.

Seeing Li Xiulan open the door, he bowed slightly, his smile perfectly courteous. "Hello, is this Lin Hao's home? I'm Yan Rusong, secretary-general of the Qingyang City Lord's Manor. On behalf of Qingyang City's City Lord Tao Jingtong, I've come specifically to visit Lin Hao and the two of you."