Lin Hao guessed correctly.
Mr. Liao indeed came to find Lin Yuan.
As for the purpose, it was naturally more than just congratulations.
Lin Hao had sharp eyes; upon hearing that Mr. Liao and Lin Yuan had important business to discuss,
he immediately stood up and led the others out of the private room, leaving only Lin Yuan and Mr. Liao to talk.
Lin Hao, being the secretary of the director, couldn't be pressured even by the status of Huo Yanming, a senior colonel in the military district.
As for the others, naturally, none dared to object and they all left the private room.
Inside the private room.
Lin Yuan and Mr. Liao sat facing each other.
"Mr. Lin, I've come to you this time to ask for a favor,"
Mr. Liao said without beating around the bush.
"Please speak, Chairman."
Lin Yuan spoke earnestly.
The Chu Family and the Huo Family coming over, he could guess their intentions.
But as for Mr. Liao... Lin Yuan was somewhat at a loss.
First of all, the Chairman of the Evolver's Association, with a civic rank of Second Layer and strength not far from Lin Yuan's, certainly wasn't weak.
What could such a person possibly need from Lin Yuan?
"In another year, the Canglan Star arena battle will take place, and I would like to request Mr. Lin represent Dongning City in the competition,"
Mr. Liao said gravely.
"Arena battle?"
Lin Yuan was slightly taken aback.
He quickly understood.
The arena battle on Canglan Star, and even within the entire Cosmic Human Alliance, was one of the most heated events.
On the arena stage, two Evolvers would fight to determine a champion. The whole process was broadcast live, incredibly exhilarating and thrilling, and hugely popular among the citizens.
"Why choose me?"
Lin Yuan asked casually.
"Because Mr. Lin is from Dongning City and younger than a hundred years old, meeting the requirements for the star-level arena battle."
"Most importantly, Mr. Lin's strength is extremely close to Second Layer."
"Already standing among the strongest in Dongning City, could we choose those Evolvers much weaker than Mr. Lin instead?"
Mr. Liao replied truthfully.
The Canglan Star arena battle involved selecting Evolvers from various major cities to compete and determine the strongest.
"Not to conceal from Mr. Lin, in the past few arena battles, our ranking in Dongning City has been quite unsightly. If this arena battle turns out like the previous ones, I might as well resign as chairman of the Evolver's Association,"
Mr. Liao's face showed a trace of bitterness.
The Evolver's Association was responsible for managing and nurturing all local Evolvers.
If the Evolvers from Dongning City were weak and performed poorly in the arena battles, he as the Association chairman would naturally bear the primary responsibility.
This was also one of the methods employed by the Cosmic Human Alliance to stimulate the potential of Evolvers and guide more powerful Evolvers to emerge.
Of course, if one achieved a good ranking in the arena battle, like making it into the top three thousand, they would receive an official reward.
"I see,"
Lin Yuan suddenly understood.
"Rest easy, Mr. Lin. If you can make it into the top five thousand in this arena battle, the Evolver's Association will provide fifty million civilization coins as a reward,"
Mr. Liao, fearing Lin Yuan might not agree, immediately promised.
Based on previous iterations, approximately ten thousand Evolvers would participate in the arena battle.
Achieving a rank among the top five thousand among ten thousand Evolvers would be considered average.
The main issue was that in past events, they always ranked at the bottom. Mr. Liao was losing confidence; this time he wasn't aiming for the top three thousand to receive the official reward, just hoping to stay within five thousand to avoid penalties.
"Fifty million?"
Lin Yuan's heart was slightly moved upon hearing this.
No one would consider money superfluous, especially Lin Yuan who was desperately in need of it.
Not to mention anything else, just the high-level nutrient solution alone was in great demand for Lin Yuan.
The first time he returned through the Door to the Myriad Realms, Lin Yuan used no less than twenty-one bottles of high-level nutrient solution to restore his full strength.
How many bottles would he need for the next transit, and even more so when his strength increased? Perhaps he would need even more limited resources in addition to high-level nutrient solution.
All these things,
required money.
If he could have a fifty-million payday, Lin Yuan's financial pressures would lessen for several years to come.
"Alright."
"I'll consider it,"
Lin Yuan contemplated for a moment and then nodded.
"No problem,"
Mr. Liao said unconcernedly.
Anyway, there's still a year until the arena battles, and there is plenty of time, so Mr. Liao isn't in a hurry for Lin Yuan to give an immediate response.
...
Outside the private box.
A large group of people are anxiously guessing and waiting.
"Shoucheng, your son's future achievements will be boundless..."
Lin Hao looked at the nervous Lin Shoucheng and sighed.
As soon as he said this,
The complexions of the relatives around them showed complex expressions.
Originally, many of them had felt jealous of Lin Yuan.
But now, those feelings had taken flight.
When the gap between two parties is too great to bridge, all envy and resentment become difficult to emerge.
And now, Lin Yuan was a concrete example.
Even the President of the Evolver's Association personally made a visit to discuss important matters with Lin Yuan, and anyone with a sound mind could deduce the implications of that.
"You scoundrel."
"Do you still have the face to stand here?"
With a glance, Lin Hao looked at his son, feeling a surge of anger.
If it weren't for the last few words his son, Lin Yan, had said, just the act of planning to transfer the department's spot to Lin Yuan could have won him considerable favor.
But now, because of Lin Yan, even if the favor still existed, it was likely to be greatly diminished.
"Dad...."
Lin Yan said, his head hanging low.
He had no idea that Lin Yuan would have such great influence, with major figures from the business world, the military, and even the President of the Evolver's Association coming in person to meet him.
At that moment, Lin Yan's heart was still trembling, especially when Mr. Liao from the Evolver's Association clearly stated that he came to see Lin Yuan, which made his legs go weak.
...
Half an hour later.
Lin Yuan and Mr. Liao emerged from the private box.
After saying his farewells, the Chu Family and Huo Family members also took their leave in turn.
After all, this was someone else's family banquet, and as outsiders who had come to visit Lin Yuan, they couldn't stay any longer.
With several people departing,
The Lin Family banquet continued.
But by that time, no one was in the mood to participate in the banquet any longer.
Their minds were filled with complexity and shock, and when they looked at Lin Yuan, their eyes brimmed with confusion and awe.
...
An hour later.
The Lin Family banquet ended.
Uncountable relatives hesitated, wanting to get close to Lin Yuan.
But they didn't have the courage to do so.
"Xiaoyuan, what exactly is going on?"
As they returned home, Lu Qiong couldn't help but ask.
Lin Yuan had stolen the show at the family banquet, but afterwards, Lu Qiong felt somewhat uneasy.
"Mom, don't worry."
"When I registered as an Evolver last time, I was ranked as First Rank, twelve segments."
Lin Yuan said nonchalantly.
"First Rank, twelve segments?"
Lu Qiong nearly thought she was dreaming.
She had hardly seen any Evolvers yet, let alone one who was of First Rank, twelve segments.
"My son is a twelve-segment Evolver?"
Lin Shoucheng's face went blank.
...
Just like that.
Time slowly passed.
In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had passed.
Shuiyue Residential Complex, number thirty-two.
The underground training field.
Lin Yuan was sitting cross-legged.
Suddenly,
As if sensing something,
Lin Yuan immediately focused his mind deep within his consciousness.
He saw the grand, towering, and majestic Door to the Myriad Realms, with its edges now completely illuminated.