Gao Wu: Oh no! Young Master Zhen is a cultivator!

Lin Ran couldn't help but think to himself, "This old man is such an opportunist!"

What does it mean that the Lin family withstood the pressure from the Sun family and he agreed?

To put it bluntly, they're just opportunists, trying to please both sides and not wanting to offend either.

The Sun family left room for maneuver, while the Lin family offered terms, allowing them to sit back and relax.

However, Lin Ran didn't spoil Chu Xining's mood, and simply replied, "That's good. Don't worry about the Sun family's problems, I'll handle them."

"It's all thanks to you getting first place in yesterday's mock exam, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to convince them so easily." Chu Xining moved closer to him, her smile sweet.

Lin Ran leaned back in his chair and said proudly, "Originally, I didn't want to take first place, but unfortunately, my strength wouldn't allow it."

While there was an element of showing off in his words, it was also his true thought.

From the very beginning, he had no intention of taking the exam seriously; he was purely there to disgust Sun Jinghuan.

However, Sun Jinghuan was clever enough to help him complete the accumulation of the initial points.

"Brother Lin Ran is the best!" Chu Xining's eyes sparkled.

The school bell rang.

Zhou Zhengping walked into the classroom carrying a stack of documents, his expression more serious than usual.

He placed the documents on the podium and adjusted his glasses.

"I have an important announcement to make before class begins."

The whole class fell silent.

"The official plan for the martial arts college entrance examination has been issued. This year's martial arts examination will fully adopt a points-based competition format, with rules basically the same as this mock exam."

"In addition, the top ten in the city will also participate in the national ranking competition."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire class.

"The Martial Arts Association has prepared generous prizes for the top ten nationwide, with the first-place prize being a priceless treasure!"

Zhou Zhengping turned on the holographic projector, and a palm-sized jade tablet appeared on the screen.

"The Nine Heavens Pendant contains an independent storage space, and wearing it for a long time can also improve cultivation efficiency!"

The jade pendant was pure white, with cloud patterns engraved on its surface, and a faint luster flowing around it.

"This treasure was obtained by the Martial Saint of Canglan from a secret realm, and it was the grand prize he specially brought out for this reformed martial arts examination!"

The breathing from the audience noticeably became heavier.

Storage space—these four words hold a fatal attraction for any martial artist.

With storage space, you don't have to carry heavy equipment around. Weapons, supplies, and medicines can all be stuffed in and used whenever needed during battle.

Not to mention that this jade pendant can also improve cultivation efficiency.

Originally, Lin Ran had no interest in the martial arts exam.

He came to the school just to go through the motions; it didn't matter whether he did well on the exam or not, since he had already planned out his path as a lone hunter.

But the appearance of the Nine Heavens Pendant forced him to change his plans.

He now carries a bag of crystal cores around every day, and when he returns to the Lin family home, he has to climb through the window to avoid being monitored by surveillance cameras, for fear that someone will discover what's in his backpack.

With storage space, all these problems are easily solved.

More importantly, anything that can be considered a treasure by the Martial Arts Association must be of high quality.

If it happens to meet the refining requirements of the "Myriad Treasures Spirit Forging Technique", then it would be killing two birds with one stone.

It can store things and also be used to break through realms; it's practically tailor-made for him.

Therefore, Lin Ran, who originally planned to slack off during the martial arts exam, immediately updated his plan to version 2.0.

No one can stop him from becoming the number one in the country in this martial arts exam!

Having devised a meticulous plan, Lin Ran couldn't help but look at Sun Jinghuan, the score-boosting machine.

The guy leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his expression completely blank.

Upon hearing the news about the Nine Heavens Pendant, he showed no excitement whatsoever, as if what Zhou Zhengping was talking about had nothing to do with him.

"Something's not right!" Lin Ran raised an eyebrow.

Logically speaking, given Sun Jinghuan's personality, after what happened yesterday, he should have said something harsh.

The way he's lying down now suggests either he's been beaten to the point of depression, or he's brewing some kind of ultimate move.

Lin Ran thought it should be the latter.

"What surprise have they prepared for me this time?"

At lunchtime, Zhao Meng came over.

"Brother Ran, my cousin asked me to ask you if you have time to have dinner together tonight."

Lin Ran was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized.

When Zhao Hao's men harassed the orphanage, Lin Ran didn't directly confront them because of Zhao Meng's influence.

Zhao Meng had relayed that Zhao Hao wanted to invite him to dinner to apologize in person.

However, Lin Ran was in a hurry to go to the beach to investigate the situation and did not agree.

More than a week later, Zhao Hao brought up the old matter again, which was probably not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

It seems the impact of my first-place ranking in this mock exam is still unfolding.

Lin Ran hesitated for a moment, then casually agreed, "Okay, tonight then."

"Okay, I'll tell my cousin." Zhao Meng immediately opened his bracelet and sent the message.

As Lin Ran walked out of the training hall after school in the evening, a brand-new Rolls-Royce was parked in the same spot.

Don't ask why it's another Rolls-Royce; the answer is simply that Lin Hongbo is rich and capricious!

Driver Lao Zhou opened the car door to welcome Lin Ran into the car.

"I'm having lunch with my classmates today, you guys go back first."

After saying that, he followed Zhao Meng toward a Bentley Continental that was not far away.

The car started and drove away from the school gate.

Zhiweixuan is one of the most expensive private restaurants in Xinhai. It is hidden deep in a narrow alley in the old town. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary courtyard with blue bricks, but inside it is a hidden gem.

The car stopped at the gate of the courtyard. As soon as Lin Ran got out of the car, he saw a young man in his early twenties standing at the gate waiting.

He wore a dark gray suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a very warm smile on his face.

"Young Master Lin, I've long admired your name. Meeting you today, you are indeed a man of great bearing." Zhao Hao extended his hand.

Lin Ran raised an eyebrow but did not extend his hand: "Young Master Zhao, you flatter me."

Sensing Lin Ran's disdain, Zhao Hao was not annoyed. He stepped aside and said, "Young Master Lin, please come in. The food and wine are ready, just waiting for you to begin."

Seeing this, Lin Ran looked at Zhao Hao with newfound respect.

He is flexible and adaptable, and has some shrewdness.

I just don't know if this forbearance is a genuine surrender or for some other reason.

"Young Master Zhao, please." Lin Ran also raised his hand in acknowledgment.

Since we're already here, we naturally want to see what this guy is up to.

As they spoke, the two walked into the courtyard, with Zhao Zheng following closely behind.

The three of them walked through the artificial hill and stream in the courtyard and entered the main hall.

Zhao Hao pushed open the door to the private room, and Lin Ran stepped inside, only to find that there was another person in the room.

A young girl sat by the window and turned to look at him.

Her skin was snow-white, her eyebrows and eyes were like painted landscapes, her eyes were like spring water, and her nose was straight and prominent.

The girl wore a high ponytail, with wisps of hair gently brushing against her cheeks, making her look even more delicate and charming.

Lin Ran withdrew his gaze and turned to Zhao Hao: "And this gentleman is?"

"This is my younger sister, Zhao Yanran," Zhao Hao quickly introduced, then waved to the girl, "Yanran, come and greet Young Master Lin."

Zhao Yanran stood up, nodded slightly to Lin Ran, and said in a clear voice, "Yanran greets Young Master Lin."

"You're welcome." Lin Ran waved his hand and casually sat down on the chair next to him.

Seeing this, Zhao Hao quickly declined, saying, "Young Master Lin is an honored guest; you should take the seat of honor."

He gestured to the inside of the private room, but Lin Ran showed no intention of getting up.

"No need, there aren't that many formalities, it's just a meal."

Since Lin Ran didn't give him any face, Zhao Hao could only try to save face himself: "Hahaha... Young Master Lin is unpretentious and has a true personality."

The four sat down, and Lin Ran picked up his water glass and took a sip.

"I wonder what brings Young Master Zhao here today?"

Zhao Hao placed his hands on his knees and leaned forward slightly: "I have offended you in the past, and I invited Young Master Lin here to apologize."

Lin Ran placed the teacup on the table: "Zhao Meng and I have a good relationship. As long as Young Master Zhao doesn't do anything that could damage our harmony, I won't kill anyone indiscriminately."

Upon hearing the words "random killing," Zhao Hao's pupils visibly contracted.

Isn't this a threat?

Isn't that a blatant threat?