120: Chapter 120 The Feast at Hongmen

The Tianjiao Camp's cafeteria was exceptionally lively tonight.

Rather than a cafeteria, it was more like a luxurious banquet hall.

Brilliant crystal chandeliers cast light into every corner, the polished marble floor reflected figures, and the air was filled with the unique rich aroma of top-tier exotic beast meat being cooked.

The long dining tables were laden with a dazzling array of delicacies, from sashimi of deep-sea behemoths to roasted wings of flying exotic beasts; every dish consisted of precious ingredients that ordinary martial artists would have to strive for years to obtain.

Today was the 'Oath-Taking Banquet' hosted by the new Special Supervisor, Wang Gang, for all the students.

Ostensibly, it was to celebrate their triumphant return from the previous survival trial and to wish them further success in the upcoming intensive training.

Students gathered in twos and threes, their faces beaming with excitement.

After all, opportunities to enjoy such a lavish meal for free were rare.

Lin Fan sat in an inconspicuous corner, leisurely cutting a sizzling, oily piece of C-grade beef roast in front of him.

Qin Feng sat opposite him, devouring his food while speaking in a low voice.

“Brother Fan, what trick is this guy named Wang playing?”

“He comes in and immediately puts on such a grand show, treating us to meals and giving gifts.”

“A weasel paying respects to a chicken — he has no good intentions.”

Lin Fan put a piece of roast meat into his mouth, chewing it slowly.

“Whatever trick he's playing.”

“As long as the food is good and the wine is good, that's all that matters.”

“Only when we're full and satisfied will we have the energy to watch his show.”

Qin Feng chuckled, finding Lin Fan's words reasonable, and picked up a giant lobster leg to gnaw on.

The atmosphere of the banquet, deliberately stirred by Wang Gang, gradually reached its climax.

After several rounds of drinks and many dishes.

Wang Gang, his face flushed with health, stood up and walked to the center of the banquet hall.

He raised his wine glass and cleared his throat.

“Students, quiet down.”

His voice, amplified by spiritual energy, instantly overpowered all the noise.

All eyes converged on him.

“Seeing your vibrant and energetic appearance, I am genuinely relieved.”

“You are the future of Huaguo, the hope of humanity.”

Wang Gang wore a gentle smile, his tone sincere and filled with the concern of an elder for juniors.

“Everyone performed exceptionally well in this survival trial.”

“When facing the schemes of the Sakura Country assassins, you even demonstrated the courage and responsibility expected of our Dragon Kingdom's Tianjiao.”

“I propose we raise our glasses together, for Student Tang Si who passed away, and for our future victories, cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The students all raised their glasses and drank them dry.

The atmosphere was fervent yet solemn.

Lin Fan also raised his glass, finishing the juice inside, his gaze calmly fixed on Wang Gang on the stage.

He knew the main act was about to begin.

Sure enough, after Wang Gang put down his glass, his gaze swept across the crowd.

Finally, it precisely landed on Lin Fan.

“Of course, in this battle, one student's performance was truly astonishing.”

“He not only thwarted the enemy's plot single-handedly but also achieved unprecedented and astonishing results in the trial.”

“He is the undisputed number one of this batch in our Tianjiao Camp, Student Lin Fan!”

Whoosh.

All the spotlights, all the gazes, converged on Lin Fan at that instant.

Lin Fan put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and slowly stood up.

His face wore that characteristic, harmless, honest smile.

“Supervisor, you flatter me.”

“It was all good luck.”

Wang Gang smiled and waved his hand.

“Student Lin Fan, you are too modest.”

“Your achievements are recognized by the nation and remembered by the people.”

“For a young hero like you, the nation will certainly not be stingy with rewards.”

With that, Wang Gang winked at his assistant behind him.

The assistant immediately understood and came forward with a tray.

On the tray, a small bottle carved from white jade rested quietly, filled with a deep blue liquid that emitted a refreshing fragrance.

“This is a strategic resource, A-grade 'Deep Sea Spirit Marrow', specially approved by the Ministry of Education.”

Wang Gang personally picked up the jade bottle and introduced it in a resounding voice.

“It is extracted from the core of a spiritual vein ten thousand meters deep in the sea. Every drop contains pure life energy, which can greatly temper a martial artist's body and stabilize their foundation.”

“The value of this bottle exceeds three million!”

Hiss!

A collective gasp echoed through the crowd.

Three million!

This gesture was too grand!

Countless envious and jealous gazes fell upon Lin Fan.

Wang Gang watched the crowd's reaction with satisfaction, his smile growing even more amiable.

Holding the jade bottle, he stepped down from the high platform, walking directly towards Lin Fan.

The surrounding students automatically made way for him.

The focus of the entire hall was on these two individuals.

Wang Gang walked up to Lin Fan and personally opened the stopper.

A richer fragrance instantly burst forth; just a sniff made one feel utterly refreshed.

He handed the jade bottle to Lin Fan, his tone gentle, yet carrying an undeniable authority.

“Student Lin Fan, this is the nation's cultivation of you, and also my appreciation for a rising star like yourself.”

“Come, in front of everyone, drink this bottle of spirit marrow.”

“Let us all witness the rising martial arts superstar of our Dragon Kingdom!”

Wang Gang's eyes were full of encouragement and expectation, like a truly appreciative elder.

But under Lin Fan's Eye of True Sight, that gentle facade was completely torn away.

He also saw that in the depths of Wang Gang's seemingly benevolent eyes, a tangible malevolence and delight surged.

It was the madness of someone about to get their revenge.

“What's wrong?”

Seeing Lin Fan's prolonged inaction, Wang Gang's brow furrowed slightly.

“Student Lin Fan, you wouldn't refuse to give face to the nation, or to me, your Supervisor, would you?”

Though his words were calm, the implicit threat was undisguised.

Whispers also began to rise from the surroundings.

“What is Lin Fan hesitating about?”

“The Supervisor personally bestowing medicine, what a great honor!”

“Exactly, if he doesn't drink it, he'll be seen as ungrateful.”

One accusation after another was hurled.

This was an overt scheme.

Under the gaze of the entire hall, and under the dual names of 'nation' and 'senior,' Lin Fan was being forced to drink this poison.

Drink it, and his foundation would be destroyed, rendering him a cripple.

Refuse, and he would be openly slapping the nation's face, defying his superior, and ruining his future.

No matter which he chose, it was a dead end.

Qin Feng was sweating profusely beside him, constantly winking at Lin Fan, but not daring to speak out.

Just when everyone thought Lin Fan would be caught in a dilemma.

Lin Fan smiled.

He reached out and took the exquisite jade bottle.

A playful arc formed at the corner of his mouth.

Under Wang Gang's gaze, filled with expectation and malevolence, he brought the jade bottle to his nose and lightly sniffed it.

Then, he asked a question that instantly petrified the entire hall.

“Supervisor, can I get a refill for this?”

Silence.

A deathly silence.

The entire banquet hall, the moment Lin Fan asked that question, seemed to have been put on pause.

All the students widened their eyes and gaped, looking at him in disbelief.

A refill?

This was an A-grade spirit marrow worth three million!

Although most people present were Tianjiao from prominent families, even large families had resource allocations. Anyone could afford three million, but treating three million worth of spirit liquid like three-dollar cola was a different matter entirely.

Did he think it was one-dollar soda from a street vendor?

And a refill?

Even Wang Gang, standing in front of Lin Fan, had his expression freeze for a moment.

He had imagined Lin Fan might make excuses to decline, might angrily question him, or might even foolishly turn hostile directly.

But he never expected Lin Fan to say something so utterly out of left field.

Was this kid mentally challenged, or was he deliberately playing dumb?