229: A storm is brewing

Just as he walked out of the Martial Arts Arena, Lin Luo was immediately surrounded by Peng Geng and Chen Yu on both sides.

“Brother Luo! You're awesome!” Peng Geng’s face was flushed with excitement, and he waved his fists in the air as if he were the one who had just announced a major life event. “How did you do it? Quick, tell your brother!”

Lin Luo smiled and patted his sturdy shoulder, calmly uttering four words: “It’s all about effort.”

Peng Geng scratched the back of his head, looking honest and confused. “What does that mean? Brother Luo, you're sounding more and more cultured.”

“It means...” Lin Luo dusted off his hem, which wasn't actually dusty, and tilted his chin up with the certainty of someone who had seen it all. “Otherwise, how could I be your brother? I’m telling you, we’ve liked each other for a long time. It’s a talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven! Before, it was just that I couldn't beat her, so I had to take a temporary strategic detour. But now...” A smug curve hooked the corner of his mouth, his words carrying a deeper meaning.

Before his voice could fade, two more streaks of peerless sword light suddenly arrived from afar. They precisely grazed his side, carving deep sword marks into the ground and sending gravel flying! When the sword light touched his Physical Body, it only rippled out in a faint golden shimmer, failing to even tear his clothes.

Lin Luo didn't move an inch, and his smile didn't even change. He just tilted his chin toward the direction the sword light had come from, showing off to Peng Geng and Chen Yu: “See... this is called ‘the present is different from the past.’”

Peng Geng’s eyes went wide, and he praised him from the bottom of his heart: “Holy crap, Brother Luo, that’s amazing! Now even Sister Nianyao can't beat you, and the old man couldn't do anything to you just now. Doesn't this mean... when the tiger is away, the monkey is king? No, it means you can do whatever you want!”

Lin Luo was momentarily choked by the comparison, but he still nodded with full confidence. “That’s pretty much what it means. Don't worry,” he put an arm around Peng Geng’s shoulder in a 'big brother will take care of you' stance. “If I become rich, I won't forget you. Follow your brother from now on, and I'll make sure you live the high life. Maybe... if I’m in a good mood, I’ll find you a few more sisters-in-law to keep things lively.”

“Great! Brother Luo is so loyal!” Peng Geng agreed happily without a second thought.

“Great, my foot!” Chen Yu slapped the back of Peng Geng’s head in annoyance and cursed in a low voice, “Why are you so happy about him finding sisters-in-law? What does that have to do with you?”

After saying that, he carefully glanced at Ye Nianyao, who was talking in a low voice with several Seniors not far away, seemingly oblivious to the commotion here. He leaned closer to Lin Luo, his voice even lower, filled with mischief and a bit of worry: “Brother Luo, seriously, you and our sister... your cards are on the table now. So what about your previous... uh, ‘good neighbors’ and ‘good classmates’? I heard there are several in Neon...”

He didn't finish, but his winks made the meaning clear enough.

The smile on Lin Luo’s face vanished slightly. He also lowered his voice and patted Chen Yu’s shoulder: “Don't worry, your brother knows what he's doing. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. There will always be a way... you understand.”

“You rascal, get over here!”

Lin Zhenyue’s powerful shout called Lin Luo, who was surrounded by Peng Geng and Chen Yu and looking quite smug, over to him.

“What is it?” As soon as Lin Luo approached, he was surrounded in a triangle by his own old man, Leader, and Zhou Dong. They scrutinized him from top to bottom as if he were some rare artifact.

Zhou Dong pinched his chin, his gaze like lightning as it swept over Lin Luo’s face and body several times. Finally, he clicked his tongue and said in an exaggerated tone: “Incredible! Look at this boy, a full forehead and a square chin, and his Qi and blood are as abundant as a little furnace... Tsk, this Yang Qi is practically overflowing from his pores!”

Beside him, Leader coughed lightly. The internal injuries he had received from 'Lin Luo' earlier had not yet healed, and his face was still a bit pale. Knowing that it wasn't actually Lin Luo who had attacked, he naturally didn't blame him. His gaze toward Lin Luo was full of the appreciation a Senior has for an outstanding junior, and he nodded in agreement: “Hmm... he’s young, full of youthful vigor and Yang Fire... it’s understandable, it’s understandable.”

Lin Zhenyue didn't speak. He just kept a solemn face and reached out his calloused hands, unceremoniously pinching and pressing on several of Lin Luo’s key Acupoints and bones. He even sent a trace of True Qi to circulate through his meridians.

A moment later, he withdrew his hand and turned to Ye Nianyao, who was standing a bit further away pretending to look at the scenery. He spoke in a voice loud enough for the whole field to hear: “Girl, don't worry! This boy’s body is very sturdy, there’s no strange Qi hidden inside. He couldn't be better!”

Lin Luo was stunned for a moment, then he suddenly realized! He broke out of the old men’s 'encirclement' and walked to Ye Nianyao’s side, grumbling in a low, annoyed voice: “What have you been telling these old rascals! I... of course I’m normal! Perfectly normal!”

Ye Nianyao’s eyes were wandering, and she didn't dare look at Lin Luo at all. She forced herself to stay calm and explained: “I didn't... I didn't say anything... I was just worried because you were unconscious for so long and influenced by unknown forces. I was afraid you might have been tainted by something bad... so I asked Grandpa Lin to take a look.”

Lin Luo glanced sideways at her and leaned half a step closer. In a volume only the two of them could hear, but with a long, smug tail on his words, he said: “Young people have heavy fire and abundant energy. Isn't it normal for certain needs to be a bit strong? You need to be more understanding.”

“You...!” Ye Nianyao’s face instantly turned bright red. In a mix of shame and annoyance, she clenched her fist and punched his arm without thinking, making a muffled 'thud'.

Just then, a brilliant golden energy light broke through the clouds in the sky! That light was like a Dragon soaring through the Nine Heavens, vigorously circling. In an instant, it condensed into the form of a young man wearing a simple long robe with a gentle temperament, landing lightly in the arena.

The newcomer was Mr. Long.

Seeing him, Zhou Dong and the others straightened their expressions and nodded in greeting: “Mr. Long is here.”

“Yes, I came to take a look.” Mr. Long returned the greeting with a smile. His gaze then fell on Lin Luo, who was currently grimacing after being punched by Ye Nianyao. His eyes were gentle yet profound. “It seems you’ve recovered well. Young Miss Nianyao put a lot of effort into you; you must treat her well in the future.”

Lin Luo took the opportunity to put his arm around Ye Nianyao, who hadn't fully recovered from her embarrassment, and replied with a grin: “That’s for sure.”

Ye Nianyao struggled slightly but couldn't get free, so she could only turn her head away, though her ears grew even redder.

Mr. Long nodded, his gaze lingering on Lin Luo for a moment as if he could see through his outward appearance to his essence. He frowned slightly: “Your Physical Body is too strong, but your Divine Soul is too frail. The imbalance between the two makes it easy to be like a child wielding a giant hammer, being controlled by the power instead.”

Ye Nianyao immediately caught the key point and asked urgently: “Mr. Long, are you saying... his current abnormal... 'out of control' state is because of this?”

“I’m perfectly normal!” Lin Luo muttered on the side.

Mr. Long gave a soft laugh. This time, his gaze fell on Ye Nianyao. That look carried a Senior's warmth and a touch of clear understanding, and his tone was even more meaningful: “The Dao of the solution is to improve his Divine Soul strength as soon as possible so that it can match his Physical Body strength. As for the method...” He paused and looked at Ye Nianyao, his voice steady yet every word clear, “Young Miss Nianyao, you should know it.”

Me? What do I know?

Ye Nianyao was feeling lost, but her mind seemed to be touched by a sleeping switch because of those words. Suddenly, several ancient and profound images of text, which seemed to have been long forgotten, surfaced clearly as if their Seal had been undone—it was the essentials of an ancient method regarding Yin and Yang harmony and the Dual Cultivation of life and soul.

Ye Nianyao’s cheeks instantly burned, and even her breathing hitched for a moment. She immediately understood the deep meaning behind Mr. Long’s subtle smile.

“You know it?” Lin Luo noticed her strange behavior and nudged her gently with his elbow, his voice low and his eyes full of inquiry.

“I don't know!” Ye Nianyao retorted in a low voice almost instinctively. She abruptly turned her face away, not daring to look at him or Mr. Long again. However, the crimson that spread from her cheeks all the way down to her neck and even faintly disappeared into her collar completely exposed her current flustered confusion and embarrassment.

Mr. Long’s purpose, of course, was not just to see how Lin Luo was recovering.

After being invited into a quiet room within the Special Affairs Department that was equipped with a strict soundproof and Protection Boundary, Mr. Long waved his hand to lay down a layer of faint golden light, ensuring that the conversation would not leak. His expression turned solemn, and the first piece of news he dropped caused the hearts of the experienced Seniors present to sink:

“Next, the process of the Fusion between the Otherworld and our world... will be irreversibly accelerated.” His voice was steady, but it hit everyone’s heart like a heavy hammer. “Spatial Barriers will become increasingly fragile, the frequency and intensity of anomalies will increase significantly, and more powerful Otherworld creatures, even rule-level erosion... may arrive ahead of schedule.”

Zhou Dong’s brow furrowed, and he immediately looked at Lin Zhenyue: “Old Lin, since things are finished here, you should head back as soon as possible.”

Lin Zhenyue’s expression was solemn, and he didn't hesitate: “I’ll leave today.” His gaze swept toward the door, and his tone deepened. “I’ll have to trouble you two to look after those kids out there.”

Leader nodded solemnly: “Don't worry, Old Lin. Zhou Dong and I will do our best.”

At this point, Mr. Long changed the subject, his tone carrying an unquestionable warning: “Concerning the existence of ‘Him’, all secret investigations must stop immediately.”

He paused, a rare caution bordering on awe flashing in his eyes: “He Himself is an untouchable taboo. The more you know, the heavier the Karma involved, and it might even... draw an unwanted gaze.”

Zhou Dong’s face changed slightly, and he instinctively looked toward Lin Luo: “But He and that child Lin Luo...”

“There is no relationship,” Mr. Long interrupted categorically, his tone brooks no argument. “At least no ‘relationship’ that we can understand or intervene in.”

The room fell into a brief silence. The existence of something beyond their cognition made all their calculations and guesses seem pale.

Finally, Lin Zhenyue broke the silence: “Once things are wrapped up here in Neon... next, it should be the ‘National Fate War’ that decides the direction of our Luck, right?”

Mr. Long nodded slowly, the last trace of ease completely fading from his face, leaving only the heavy stillness of the coming storm:

“Be prepared at all times. That moment... is likely closer than we expected.”