342: The person in charge's little scheme

"Yes."

Zhao Tianyang acknowledged, then slowly raised his head.

Meanwhile, Lin Yao, who was standing beside him, was completely baffled.

She leaned close to Lin Yu, tugged on his sleeve, and whispered a question only they could hear.

"Brother, what's going on?"

"Who is he?"

"Are you guys... playing some strange role-playing game?"

Lin Yu ignored his sister's strange logic.

His gaze fell upon Zhao Tianyang, and then turned to his sister's face, which was full of question marks.

"You've met him."

"Zhao Tianyang."

These three words acted like a key, instantly opening the floodgates of Lin Yao's memory.

Zhao Tianyang?

That guy from the next class... Zhao Tianyang, who manifested the Mythical-grade profession [Asura] during the Awakening Ceremony!

He even helped her!

But last time they met, wasn't he huge?

Lin Yao's mouth slowly opened into an "O" shape.

She looked at the young man before her—who was still imposing but whose height and size were completely within the normal range—and then recalled the towering, rampaging behemoth that had nearly pierced the auditorium ceiling that day.

This... is this really the same person?

"Brother! How did he..." Lin Yao subconsciously reached out and gestured at Zhao Tianyang's height, "How did he get smaller? Did he... shrink?"

This question was filled with childlike innocence and pure bewilderment.

Zhao Tianyang's resolute face twitched involuntarily.

Lin Yu pressed his sister's restless hand down.

"This means his control over his power has improved."

"Oh..." Lin Yao nodded, half understanding, but her large, constantly shifting eyes were still full of scrutiny, as if she were studying a rare species.

Just then, the heavy alloy door of the dueling arena silently slid open again.

A figure walked in unhurriedly.

The newcomer was about forty years old, wearing a well-tailored black suit, his hair neatly combed, and sporting an impeccable, standard, businessman's smile.

As soon as he entered, the somewhat strange atmosphere of the dueling arena seemed to be significantly diluted by his shrewd and capable aura.

"I heard there was a slight disturbance in the hall. I apologize if it startled our esteemed guests."

The man spoke with a smile. His gaze first fell upon Zhao Tianyang, and the smile instantly gained a trace of undisguised admiration and eagerness.

"Tianyang, your control over your own power truly increases daily. You are indeed the once-in-a-century genius of our Linzhou."

He spared no praise.

Zhao Tianyang merely gave a slight nod, remaining silent, still standing half a step behind Lin Yu like a statue.

The man seemed accustomed to his demeanor and didn't mind.

His gaze finally turned to Lin Yu.

"Presumably, this is Mr. Lin Yu."

The man's smile didn't change, but Lin Yu could feel that the eagerness and admiration had quietly faded.

In its place was a polite formality mixed with scrutiny.

As if looking over an accessory to a commodity.

"I am the General Manager of the Organization, Chen Jing."

Chen Jing extended his hand, maintaining a humble posture.

Lin Yu did not move.

He simply looked at the man calmly.

Chen Jing's hand paused in mid-air for a moment before he casually withdrew it, his smile still perfect.

"Mr. Lin is truly young and promising. To have a subordinate like Tianyang, you are indeed... exceptionally lucky."

Luck.

He deliberately emphasized the word.

Lin Yao, listening nearby, pouted unhappily.

Although she didn't understand how Zhao Tianyang became Lin Yu's subordinate, the word "luck" annoyed her greatly.

How dare this person speak like that? What luck? My brother has skill!

Chen Jing completely ignored the Little Girl beside him. His attention—or rather, the entire purpose of his visit today—was focused entirely on Zhao Tianyang.

Seeing Zhao Tianyang's stance of absolute loyalty, treating Lin Yu as his leader, the covetousness in his heart was almost impossible to suppress.

A Mythic Rank Professional who, despite being temperamental, possessed immense strength, infinite potential, and was loyal and honest.

A subordinate like this is impossible to find!

Yet he followed such an... unremarkable, even ordinary young man.

What a waste of natural resources.

Chen Jing drew his conclusion internally.

This Lin Yu was nothing more than a parvenu who got lucky, somehow tricking Zhao Tianyang into loyalty when he was still obscure.

He had seen too many people like this.

Therefore, as long as he offered a high enough price, "buying" Zhao Tianyang from him in a "reasonable" manner shouldn't be difficult.

Zhao Tianyang couldn't be snatched away, so to break his loyalty, he had to target the object of that loyalty. Fortunately, this guy seemed easy enough to handle.

A perfect plan instantly formed in his mind.

"Mr. Lin." Chen Jing's demeanor unconsciously adopted the tone of a superior instructing an inferior.

"A genius like Tianyang is like an unpolished jade. He requires the most elite craftsmen, using the most scientific and systematic methods to refine him, before he can emit his most brilliant light."

He paused, seemingly giving Lin Yu time to think and comprehend.

"If you just let him grow wild, even the best talent will eventually be wasted."

These words were spoken earnestly, seemingly considering Zhao Tianyang's "future" at every turn.

But everything he said hinted at one thing.

You, Lin Yu, are simply not worthy of possessing such a genius.

You are holding him back.

"We, the Organization, possess the best training facilities in all of Linzhou, the most professional team of analysts, and the richest Abyss Domain resources." He wore a confident, determined smile as he extended an olive branch he believed Lin Yu couldn't refuse.

"We can enter into a deep cooperation."

"The Organization will take full responsibility for all of Zhao Tianyang's future training plans and resource provision."

"And Mr. Lin, you won't have to do anything. You just need to nod your head, and you can reap the rewards, sharing a portion of the profits from his future achievements."

He spread his hands, his posture elegant.

"How about it? This is a win-win situation for both of you."

The smile on Chen Jing's face was flawless, and the composure of a superior made him look like a gentleman performing an act of charity.

Lin Yu did not answer.

He didn't even look at Chen Jing's hand suspended in mid-air.

The win-win proposal and the earnest advice were like stones thrown into the deep sea, failing to elicit any response.

"Let's handle the main business first."

Lin Yu spoke, calmly shattering the atmosphere Chen Jing had created.

Chen Jing's hand paused in the air for half a second before he subtly withdrew it.

The smile on his face remained unchanged, but the contempt in his heart intensified slightly.

No refusal means there's a chance.