173: Lin Yao's Gathering

The boy's resistance, in the face of absolute capital and power, seemed so ridiculous, so powerless.

He wasn't talking to a professional.

He was talking to a colossal, ruthless business empire that could easily crush him and everything his family had.

The bit of genius-level passion and dignity that had just risen within him was completely extinguished by that wisp of smoke.

"No... no thoughts."

The boy's shoulders slumped, all his momentum dissipated.

The girl beside him was already deathly pale, her body trembling slightly.

"Very good."

Feng Rui extinguished his cigar.

"This is the path you chose. The company gave you an opportunity, and you must know how to cherish it."

"Remember, you are not fighting for yourselves; you are the face of Fengxing Technology."

"Drive."

The driver started the car, and the expensive "Wind Traveler" smoothly glided into traffic, carrying two soulless young people towards their hellish future, precisely planned down to every minute.

The young man naturally didn't dare to have any thoughts, and the two were led away with stiff faces.

Lin Yu originally planned to return to the Black Market Insect Dwelling, but he hadn't walked far when a clear, lively shout came from behind him.

"Lin Yao! Lin Yao!"

Several girls wearing the same school uniform chattered as they caught up, grabbing Lin Yao's arm.

"Oh my god! Yao Yao, you're too fierce!"

"Mythical-grade professional! Nine-star solo! You're going to soar to the heavens!"

"I was almost scared to death just now, I thought you were just going to pick a three-star mission for fun!"

Surrounded by her friends, Lin Yao's deliberately maintained composure finally broke, revealing the slightly shy smile of an eighteen-year-old girl.

"No, I just... I just wanted to try."

"You call this 'just trying'? Be honest! How strong are you really now!"

The short-haired girl at the front affectionately pinched Lin Yao's cheek, then looked curiously at Lin Yu beside them.

"This must be your brother, right? Two hundred eighty-eight stars... My mind is still reeling."

The other girls all looked at Lin Yu with curiosity, awe, and a hint of confusion.

Lin Yu simply nodded calmly, saying nothing.

"Oh, that's right, Yao Yao!" The short-haired girl suddenly clapped her hands. "Since everything's decided, and there are still ten days until the exam, our class is planning a get-together, like a final farewell! You absolutely have to come!"

"A get-together?" Lin Yao was startled.

"Yeah! The place is booked, at 'Time's Embrace' Music Restaurant, tonight at seven! The whole class is going!"

Another long-haired girl added, "Counting it, the only ones from our class who can't make it to the get-together are the two signed by Fengxing Technology. What's the big deal? Even a mythical-grade like you isn't as busy as them."

"Ugh, don't even mention them." The short-haired girl pouted. "I saw them being taken away by President Feng just now, looking like they'd lost their souls. They're probably off for some closed training, no time to hang out with us."

"Exactly, exactly! Our Yao Yao is so much freer! Come on, come on, let's all have some fun together one last time!"

The girls chattered, trying to persuade her.

Lin Yao was somewhat tempted. She turned to look at Lin Yu, with a hint of inquiry.

Following her gaze, the short-haired girl also mustered her courage and invited Lin Yu, "Um... Senior Lin Yu, would you like to come along too? It'll be lively with more people!"

Lin Yu declined.

"I have things to do. You all have fun."

His world and the world of these children, still immersed in the lingering warmth of school life, were already far apart.

"Oh... alright." The short-haired girl was a bit disappointed but didn't dare to press further.

Lin Yao, however, snorted, took Lin Yu's arm, and proudly lifted her chin at her friends.

"My brother is a big shot with important business to attend to. He doesn't have time for our kids' party."

Though she said this, she was helping her brother out in her own way.

"You guys go ahead, I'll talk to my brother for a bit and be right there."

"Okay! We'll wait for you!"

The girls chattered and ran off again, their youthful energy seeming to disperse the gloom at the street corner.

The surroundings instantly quieted down.

Lin Yao let go of his arm and looked up at Lin Yu.

"Brother, do you really have something to do?"

"Mm."

"Alright then." Lin Yao nodded, not pressing further. "Then you be careful. Call me anytime if anything happens."

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"

"Hmph! You have no idea how strong your sister is now!"

"Alright, alright, my Yao Yao is the strongest ~" Lin Yu reached out and habitually ruffled her hair.

"Of course! I'm a mythical-grade professional, and I have the Blood Pack you gave me. Who can bully me!" Lin Yao waved her small fist, full of confidence.

The "Blood Pack" she mentioned was, of course, the Vampire Bat that Lin Yu had enhanced.

Lin Yu had already told her the little bat's name.

This also inspired him; such a companion could be placed with family members, giving him peace of mind when he wasn't around.

The siblings exchanged a few more simple words, and then Lin Yao walked towards where she had agreed to meet her classmates, looking back repeatedly.

Lin Yu stood in place, watching her figure disappear around the street corner.

Until the commotion completely faded away.

A huge shadow fell over him from behind.

Zhao Tianyang had been standing there the whole time, silent as a mountain.

Only now did he take heavy steps and approach Lin Yu.

"Boss."

Zhao Tianyang's massive body shifted slightly, drawing more blatant pointing and whispering from a few passersby across the street.

He shuffled his feet uncomfortably, and the concrete ground let out a faint groan.

In school, he used to be the center of attention too, but that was due to his physique, far exceeding his peers, and his unapproachable aura.

But now it was different.

Now he was over five meters tall, covered in grotesque red markings, standing there like a monster from a myth, forcibly crammed into the steel jungle of a modern city.

The gazes cast his way were no longer simple awe or curiosity.

They were fear, scrutiny, and the assessment of him as a non-human creature.

Even a big guy like Zhao Tianyang, accustomed to being watched, found it a bit unbearable.

Although he felt quite handsome himself, being stared at like this all the time was still too much.

"What's wrong?" Lin Yu asked.

"I... I want to go back." Zhao Tianyang was a bit awkward, his voice muffled. "The people at the Organization said that in this state, my power isn't controlled well enough; it's leaking too much."

"They said that if I can draw all my power back into my body, I can change back to my original appearance." Zhao Tianyang continued, "I think they're right. That would prove that I have better control over my power."