30: Crybaby

As Ye Star's body, resembling a tattered sack, was "politely" carried away by the Long Family guards, a highly anticipated farce, born of jealousy, finally concluded in the most thorough and overwhelming manner.

On the stage, Lin Tian slowly withdrew his still spotless fist, his expression indifferent, as if he had merely swatted a buzzing fly, rather than defeated a world-renowned S-class Prodigy.

After a brief, deathly silence, the entire banquet hall was instantly engulfed by a thunderous roar of reverence and fanaticism!

"Long live number zero heir!"

"Too... too strong! Is this truly power a Human can possess?!"

"One punch! Just one punch! That arrogant Ye Star didn't even qualify for Your Excellency Number Zero to use a second move!"

The leaders of major financial Families, Grandmasters of hidden Sects, heads of various national political figures... these great figures, who could normally make a region tremble with a mere stomp of their foot, now cast aside all their composure and pretense, surging towards the stage like the most fervent fans.

"Your Excellency Lin Tian is truly a young Divine Being, with unparalleled demeanor! I am the current Clan Chief of the Rothschild Family in Europe. This is my private contact number. Should you ever need anything in the future, my Rothschild Family is at your service!"

"Hahaha! As expected of the Long Family's Qilin! I am the Sect Master of China's Wudang Mountain. Today, having witnessed a Divine Being's Take action, I now know the Dao is not solitary! This is our Wudang Mountain's highest-grade 'Purple Firmament Jade Token.' With this token, you can command the tens of thousands of Disciples of Wudang!"

"Young Master Lin Tian..."

Congratulatory remarks, flattery, and attempts to curry favor were incessant.

Lin Tian, having displayed a terrifying glimpse of his power to the world in the most overbearing and unquestionable manner, finally received the commensurate reverence and respect from the world's top echelons.

His prestige, at this moment, reached an unprecedented peak.

However, amidst this fervent and harmonious atmosphere, in the most inconspicuous corner of the VIP section, the Long Family's acknowledged strongest contemporary, "number one heir" Long Qingtian, merely slowly raised the crystal goblet filled with crimson liquid before him and gently swirled it.

He looked at the indifferent young man, surrounded like the moon by countless important figures, and there was not a ripple in his sharp, eagle-like eyes; in fact... there was even a faint, condescending disdain.

He softly let out a cold snort that only he could hear.

Then, he drained the fine wine in his cup... Lin Tian finally managed to extricate himself from the overly enthusiastic "fans" and returned to his family's seats.

As soon as he sat down, a soft, snow-white towel, carrying a faint fragrance, was immediately offered to him.

It was Jiang Luoling.

Her bright, intelligent eyes now sparkled with a radiance brighter than the brightest stars in the sky, and her exquisite face was filled with undisguised admiration and pride, as if she herself had been the one to display Divine Might on the stage just now.

Lin Tian looked at her adorable "little fan girl" appearance, a smile flashing in his eyes, and took the towel.

Aunt The Empress Jade Maiden, watching her daughter's "grown-up and leaving" appearance, completely smitten, and then looking at her handsome nephew, who was not like a Mortal and whose strength was unfathomable, felt increasingly satisfied and joyful.

She couldn't help but speak up, in front of all the elders of both Families, with a teasing tone, to add fuel to the fire of the young couple's relationship.

"Oh my, look at our Luo Ling's nervous expression. And look at Tian'er's calm demeanor; they truly are a match made in heaven."

She paused, then said meaningfully: "I think, let's not wait for 'later.' How about, as soon as this Martial Arts tournament ends, your marriage can be directly held? It would fulfill a wish for us elders."

"Mom—! You... what nonsense are you talking about again!"

Jiang Luoling was so embarrassed by her mother's "public urging of marriage," which was practically a fatal blow, that she almost wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into. Her pretty face was so red it could practically drip blood. She vigorously shook her mother's arm, protesting childishly.

However, just as she was overwhelmed with shyness, expecting her overbearing cousin to dismiss it or even coldly refuse, Lin Tian suddenly looked at her and smiled.

He scrutinized her from head to toe, then, with a tone full of feigned disdain, shook his head and grumbled:

"I don't want to."

"I don't want to marry a... crybaby who cries at the drop of a hat, with snot and tears everywhere... a little snot-nose."

He actually... exposed her biggest "dark history" from childhood in front of all the elders!

Jiang Luoling instantly froze.

Her bright, intelligent eyes stared at Lin Tian in disbelief, her mind blank.

After a full three seconds, a strong emotion, a mix of shame and anger, surged to her head like a volcanic eruption!

"You... you're talking nonsense! I'm not a crybaby! And I'm not a little snot-nose!"

She trembled with anger, her eyes reddening, her tearful appearance only further confirming Lin Tian's "grumbling."

"You... you're bullying me!"

Under extreme shame and anger, the girl's meager rationality completely turned to ashes.

She no longer cared about the elders present or maintaining a ladylike demeanor.

Under the table, she extended her foot, clad in delicate leather boots, aimed precisely, and then, puffing out her cheeks, she stomped with all her might, fiercely, onto Lin Tian's instep!

That's for exposing my flaws!

That's for calling me a little snot-nose!

I'll stomp you to death, you big bad guy!

However, her angry kick, full of "revenge," landed on Lin Tian's instep, which had been tempered a thousand times by the Nine Transformations of the Divine Dragon, as if stepping on an indestructible Divine Iron.

Lin Tian didn't budge, not even a frown. Instead, she herself was jolted, her toes tingling from the immense Reflection force, and she cried out "Ouch," tears truly on the verge of falling.

Seeing her adorable appearance, having failed in her attempt and looking both angry and aggrieved, Lin Tian could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

Amidst the benevolent and doting laughter of all the elders present, and Jiang Luoling's embarrassed and angry gasp, he reached out, and with a natural and doting gesture, gently pinched her cheeks, which were puffed out with anger, like cute little steamed buns.

Smooth, springy, and excellent to the touch.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore."

He withdrew his hand, his voice carrying a tenderness he himself hadn't noticed.

This intimate "cheek pinch attack," like a silent declaration, completely broke through the hazy, nascent barrier between them.

It also completely... publicized their already destined intimate relationship to everyone present.

Jiang Luoling was completely stunned.

She felt the lingering warmth on her cheek, carrying a hint of domineering Qi, and her heart was utterly captivated, pounding like a drum, unable to calm down.

A marriage proposal initiated by the elders, concluded with a sweet "cheek pinch attack" after the protagonists' "initial suppression and subsequent elevation" of playful banter.

The entire banquet hall was filled with joyous, rosy air.

This was the sweetest reward belonging to the victor.