27: Chapter 27 Agreement

The setting sun was as red as blood, dyeing the vast Black Iron Forest outside Canglan Base with a layer of sorrowful, vivid orange-red.

As the last glimmer of afterglow sank below the horizon, the practical combat assessment, which had lasted for a full 36 hours, finally came to an end.

"Assessment over! All examinees stop fighting immediately and proceed to the nearest assembly point for evacuation!"

The instructor's voice was transmitted through the "Heavenly Eye."

Hearing this voice, the examinees collapsed to the ground in relief one after another, gasping for breath.

Some cheered and jumped for joy, thankful to be alive; some covered their faces and wept bitterly, having been scared out of their wits by the Vicious Beasts; and others supported each other, limping their way back.

On the alloy highway leading to Canglan Base, a long motorcade was advancing.

At the very front of the convoy...

Su Yu carried that battle saber, which remained sharp despite being broken, his expression calm.

Beside him, although Xu Lele was injured, she had already received a simple bandage and was chirping away with an excited face.

"Su Yu, do you know—"

Xu Lele waved her uninjured hand, her eyes full of little stars. "3,250 points! This is the highest record since the founding of Canglan Base! And it's a landslide first place! The second place just barely broke a thousand points, not even a fraction of yours!"

Su Yu smiled slightly, not showing much pride.

For him, who possessed the Chaos Body and a Martial Emperor father, bullying this group of peers was indeed a bit of an unfair victory. His gaze was no longer on this small examination ground, but on the broader starry sky.

"However, some people seem very unconvinced."

Su Yu's keen perception caught a venomous gaze.

He didn't turn his head, merely scanning the rear of the convoy with his peripheral vision.

There, Li Xinghe's nano-combat suit was in tatters, and his originally handsome and arrogant face was now swollen like a pig's head. His eyes were filled with resentment as he stared fixedly ahead.

Now that they were out of the examination ground, under the base city's strict laws, Su Yu didn't believe the other party would dare to openly take action.

...

By the time they returned to Canglan Base, the lights were already beginning to shine.

As an annual grand event, the base square was already packed with people.

A giant holographic screen scrolled through the final rankings of the examinees; every name that appeared would draw a burst of cheers or sighs.

"Look! First place is out! Su Yu! It's Su Yu from our First High School!"

"My god, 3,250 points? Are these stats correct? In previous years, the top scorer of Canglan Base would be lucky to hit 800 points!"

When Su Yu and Xu Lele walked into the square, the atmosphere was instantly ignited.

Those classmates who usually had little interaction with Su Yu all crowded around enthusiastically.

"Brother Yu! You're awesome!" A tall boy patted Su Yu's shoulder hard, his face flushed with excitement. "From now on, you're my blood brother! When you strike it rich, don't forget me!"

"Su Yu, could you give me an autograph? My younger sister really admires you!"

Facing this sudden enthusiasm, Su Yu was somewhat uncomfortable but could only respond politely: "Luck, it was just good luck."

Li Xinghe, just entering the square, saw this group of Earthlings cheering for Su Yu.

"Pfft—"

Li Xinghe, whose internal injuries had not yet healed, was so angry that his blood surged, and he almost spat out another mouthful of blood.

"Young Master! Young Master, are you alright?" The lackey beside him hurriedly supported him.

"Get lost!"

Li Xinghe shoved the follower away, his bloodshot eyes staring fixedly at Su Yu, who was being treated like a star.

Who was he? He was the Young Lord of the Mars Li Family! A favored son of heaven!

Yet in this backwater place, he had been publicly humiliated by a commoner, had all his points snatched away, and had become the biggest laughingstock!

"Su Yu... Su Yu!!"

Li Xinghe roared in his heart, his nails digging deep into his palms until they bled.

"We're leaving!"

He didn't want to stay for another second. Carrying his full burden of humiliation, he slunk into the luxury hovercar amidst countless mocking gazes.

...

In the center of the base city, on the top floor of a luxury hotel reserved for foreign guests.

Smash!

An expensive crystal glass was smashed violently onto the floor, red wine spreading across the marble like blood.

"I want him dead! I want him dead right now!!"

Li Xinghe's face was distorted, roaring in the room like a madman. "Uncle Li! That Su Yu must die! Not only him, I want to kill his entire Family! I want the whole Canglan Base to know the consequences of offending my Li Family!"

In the shadows of the room's corner, Uncle Li stood quietly, no joy or sorrow visible on his wrinkled old face.

He watched his young master's undignified behavior and sighed inwardly.

Is this the successor the Family raised? Hysterical at the slightest setback, with no depth of character at all.

"Young Lord."

Uncle Li spoke slowly, his voice hoarse. "That Su Yu cannot be killed. At least for now, under the watchful eyes of the public, he is not easy to kill."

"Why?! You are a Martial Saint! You are the Martial Saint the Family sent to protect me! In this dump, who can stop you?" Li Xinghe roared with bloodshot eyes.

"Because Su Yu is now the top scorer of the assessment, a key object of the Federation's attention. And..."

Uncle Li paused, the image of that middle-aged man outside the examination ground making eye contact with him surfacing in his mind.

"And, Su Yu's father, Su Wu, is unfathomable. I suspect... he is also a Martial Saint."

"Martial Saint? Ha! Hahahaha!"

Li Xinghe seemed to have heard a huge joke. "Uncle Li, have you gone senile? This godforsaken place can produce a Martial Saint? Even if he is one, he's just some self-taught rogue! Can he compare to an orthodox Martial Saint like you, built on Family heritage?"

"I don't care!"

Li Xinghe suddenly rushed in front of Uncle Li, gripping the old man's sleeve tightly, his eyes crazed. "This is an order! I am the Family heir, and I order you now to go kill Su Yu! Right now! Immediately! Or I'll tell my father that you stood by and watched me be humiliated without helping!"

Looking at the nearly insane youth before him, Uncle Li fell silent.

The Family hierarchy was strict.

Even though he was a Martial Saint, in the Li Family, he was still a servant.

"...This old servant understands."

Uncle Li sighed deeply, the helplessness in his eyes gradually turning into a sliver of cold killing intent.

"Since the Young Lord insists, then this old servant shall remove this Heart Demon for you."

"As for that Su Wu... if he knows what's good for him, then so be it. If not, even at the risk of Federation punishment, this old servant will ensure he falls here."

After speaking, Uncle Li's figure blurred slightly and vanished into thin air within the room.

...

At this moment, Su Yu was unaware that a death trap aimed at him had already begun to unfold.

After handling the points registration, it was already late.

Su Yu and Xu Lele strolled along the base's commercial street.

Neon lights flashed on both sides of the street, and roadside stalls emitted tempting aromas.

"Here, the strawberry ice cream you wanted."

Su Yu handed over a pink cone.

"Thanks!" Xu Lele took the ice cream and gave a sweet smile, her big eyes curving into crescents. "Su Yu, do you know? Today is your coolest day in these three years!"

Su Yu took a bite of his original flavor ice cream and shrugged. "What? I wasn't cool before?"

"You were cool before, but too dull, like a little old man." Xu Lele made a face, then stole a glance at Su Yu, her cheeks feeling a bit hot. "Um... you got first place, so you'll definitely go to the best Beijing Martial Arts University or Magic City Martial Arts University, right?"

"Yeah." Su Yu nodded.

"Then... I'll have to work hard too." Xu Lele clenched her small fist, a flash of loneliness in her eyes. "Even though I can't get into Beijing Martial Arts University, I'll apply for the school next door. When the time comes... can we still see each other often?"

The young girl's thoughts were like the summer night breeze, a bit restless and a bit innocent.

Su Yu stopped walking and looked at this girl who had always been silently supporting him.

Although he was a straight-laced guy focused on martial arts, he wasn't a block of wood.

"Of course."

Su Yu reached out and gently rubbed Xu Lele's hair. "When the time comes, I'll look out for you. Whoever dares to bully you, I'll knock them flying just like today."

Xu Lele was stunned, and then a smile more brilliant than fireworks blossomed on her face.

"It's a promise!"

"It's a promise."

The two looked at each other and smiled, as if pink bubbles were rising in the air.