Lin Xiangdong had quietly followed Lin Zongzheng out, and externally it was claimed he was engaged in important research. Even Lin Shen only learned that Lin Xiangdong was not at the base but had gone out with his third brother Lin Zongzheng after Ye arrived.
However, Lin Xiangdong's absence for over a month still aroused suspicions from the Qi and Wang families. This time, with Lin Shen coming again wearing a mask, their doubts grew even heavier.
Standing behind Lin Shen, Ye's palms were already drenched with cold sweat. They had not anticipated this situation at all.
In such a sudden crisis, not to mention Lin Shen, even Ye himself didn't know how to respond perfectly in this brief moment.
Yet, if Ye stepped in now to extricate Lin Shen from the predicament, it would only deepen their suspicions. On the other hand, if he didn't step in, Lin Shen might not even manage to get through this at all.
Just as Ye couldn't help but consider speaking up, Lin Shen had already preemptively made a move.
Lin Shen suddenly closed in on Wang Tian'er, his face nearly smashing into Wang Tian'er's, startling him with the abrupt action. Fearing Lin Xiangdong immensely, Wang Tian'er reflexively retreated, drawing his pistol from his waistband.
In this era, firearms were still very powerful weapons, especially for humans, as the threat of a handgun persisted.
After all, humans couldn't maintain a Steel Body state twenty-four hours a day, and most Mutators weren't completely comprised of Steel Body; some even had a Steel Body coverage of less than fifty percent.
Therefore, many people carried handguns, which were meant not for Base Variant Creatures but for their own kind.
During last night's detailed planning with Ye, Lin Shen had already noticed Wang Tian'er, whose strength was on par with Lin Xiangdong, both being Alloy Mutators; however, he had a strong preference for guns and was reputed to have killed many with his firearm.
The instant Wang Tian'er drew his gun, Lin Shen's hand shot out like a venomous snake.
Wang Tian'er had no time to react. He hadn't even gripped his gun firmly when he felt his fingers loosen, and his handgun was snatched away.
Lin Shen hadn't expected to directly seize Wang Tian'er's gun, given that Wang Tian'er was an Alloy Mutator, whose speed upon full burst could barely be slower than a bullet.
Originally, Lin Shen hadn't planned to take the gun directly, but had intended to use the speed granted by the Seven Steps of Conflict to deflect Wang Tian'er's gun-drawing hand, before launching into his verbal barrage.
To his surprise, the speed gifted by the Seven Steps of Conflict seemed to be even faster than he had estimated, allowing him to disarm the unprepared Wang Tian'er and take the gun directly.
Lin Shen, who hadn't completed his Base Mutation, astonishingly managed to take a gun from the hands of an Alloy Mutator, which was truly too astonishing.
Lin Shen was exhilarated, promptly aiming the seized gun at Wang Tian'er's head.
Wang Tian'er's complexion drastically changed. As he swiftly dodged diagonally backwards, a blue, mysterious substance seeped out of his skin, transforming into a carapace-like armor that shielded his body, enveloping even his head and face. The metal armor burst through his clothes in many places, revealing a blue metallic sheen.
Qi Shuheng's gaze carried a hint of disappointment. Such tactics and speed that could drive Wang Tian'er into such disarray must belong to no ordinary Mutator. There weren't many in the Lin Family capable of that; it seemed the intelligence was wrong, Lin Xiangdong hadn't left the base, and the person before him was very likely Lin Xiangdong himself.
Ye was both shocked and overjoyed; he couldn't fathom how Lin Shen had managed it. A person who hadn't completed his Base Mutation was able to snatch a gun from the hands of an Alloy Mutator. Even if he took advantage of the element of surprise, it was truly too astonishing.
But no matter what, with this maneuver, their suspicion towards Lin Shen must have lessened a lot, and he should have passed today's ordeal.
Seeing Wang Tian'er's expression, Lin Shen feigned arrogance and burst into laughter, casually tossing the gun back to Wang Tian'er while disdainfully saying, "Wang Lao Er, didn't you want to see the face under this mask? I leaned in for you to lift the mask, yet you got scared into that sorry state. You're such a grown man and can't even hold a gun steady, how have you survived until now?"
Wang Lao Er was both angry and furious, about to say something, but Ye spoke first, "The time for the conference has already passed, don't delay the important matters, and with so many people here, let's not let outsiders laugh at our three families. Miss Bai rarely comes by, it wouldn't be good to dampen her spirits."
Ye's words were meant to prevent Wang Lao Er from becoming furious with embarrassment and really turning hostile, and to also underscore the identity of Goddess Consort Bai, which should dispel any remaining doubts at this point.
"Hmph, we'll settle this account another day, the main affair is more important, I won't fuss with you today," Wang Tian'er huffed coldly, turning to leave the stage. He needed to change his clothes, he couldn't possibly recruit Mutators on stage looking like this.
Lin Shen paid no attention to Wang Tian'er, instead musing to himself while watching the woman: "This woman is indeed Goddess Consort Bai, but why does she have the Fire Seed of Super-Base Evolution? Can humans also possess the Fire Seed of Super-Base Evolution?"
Lin Shen was momentarily perplexed; the Fire Seed was indeed a wondrous thing. He had previously thought that Seven Steps of Conflict allowed him to move faster than a bullet within seven steps, but now it seemed not entirely the case.
After real combat, Lin Shen had a deeper understanding. The true meaning of this ability might be that as long as the opponent uses a gun and is within seven steps, no matter how quick the opponent is, his action will always be faster—this was quite powerful, albeit with greater limitations.
"A misunderstanding, let's take our seats," Qi Shuheng said in his gentlemanly manner, inviting Goddess Consort Bai to sit beside him.
Lin Shen remembered Lin Xiangdong mentioning that Goddess Consort Bai was his avid fan; he had advised her on many matters, and their relationship was quite good—akin to both teacher and friend. Naturally, he couldn't let Goddess Consort Bai sit next to Qi Shuheng at this moment.
"What did Fourth Brother usually call Goddess Consort Bai?" Lin Shen pondered briefly and then recalled, waving at Goddess Consort Bai and saying, "Little Feifei, come sit next to your senior brother."
The way Lin Shen had spoken to Goddess Consort Bai previously didn't seem to bother her at all, which made Lin Shen believe what Lin Xiangdong had told him.
Now he had to interact with Goddess Consort Bai in the manner Lin Xiangdong would, so as not to let her spot any flaws, especially since Lin Shen couldn't be certain whether Goddess Consort Bai had first visited the Lin Family or what her relationship with the Qi and Wang families was, and why she needed their help with something.
Hearing Lin Shen's words, Goddess Consort Bai didn't hesitate, walking over and taking the seat beside Lin Shen.
Qi Shuheng could only seat himself, and not long after, Wang Tian'er, who had changed into a new set of clothes, came back and sat next to Qi Shuheng.
The recruitment event officially began, and under the host's coordination, many Mutators interested in joining the three major clans of Dark Bird Base started to line up on stage to showcase their abilities, hoping to gain the representatives' favor.
Lin Shen wasn't very interested in these people and turned to ask Goddess Consort Bai, "Little Feifei, what brings you to Dark Bird Base?"
Goddess Consort Bai slowly leaned in towards Lin Shen, her lips almost touching his earlobe.
"Seems like Goddess Consort Bai was really close to Fourth Brother," Lin Shen couldn't help but inwardly praise his Fourth Brother for really having some skills, and he realized that earlier he had misunderstood his brother's boasting.
"I don't care who you are, if you dare to call me Little Feifei again, I won't need the Qi or Wang families to expose your identity, I'll chop off your head right now," Goddess Consort Bai's voice was soft, but her tone was very unfriendly.
"Blown cover!" Lin Shen's body shuddered, inwardly lamenting, "Fourth Brother, oh Fourth Brother, why did you have to brag like that? Your little brother has been screwed over by you now!"