Chapter 35: Lin Yu Among the Big Shots

  Transtor: Krukist

  Even Nan Zhan shot to his feet. He’d been fixated on Nan Ziyaing habits—Situ g’s arrogance, Lin Yu’s shog Spirit Feast, even Ziyan’s request for Braised Pork—none had jolted him like this.

  Ziyan’s diet ersonal matter, at most a manor issue. But Heavenly Cloud Academy? That was a differe, especially the Dining Pavilion, tangled in profit webs. Shuitian’s personal invite shook him to the core.

  Nan Ziyan, holding the Braised Pork, felt a flicker of resista no nausea—just hunger. Hearing Shuitian, her eyes gleamed. *Master’s inviting someoo be Vice Head of the Dining Pavilion?*

  All eyes locked on Shuitian. Silence hung, then Situ g spoke first, fury already simmering over Lin Yu, now spiked by Situ stakes. The Dining Pavilioheir is—how could one Braised Pork hand over the Vice Head spot?

  Steadying himself, he said, “I’ll admit this Braised Pork is remarkable. Its cheap ingredients could make it a spirit pill substitute! This guy’s no bumpkin like my nephew cimed—he’s a hidden gem!”

  Situ g’s sudden praise stunned Situ Deng. He gnced up, incredulous, then bowed his head again. The Situ had always been his shield, Situ g his doting uncle. Now, was even he belittling him—in front of everyone, in front of Nan Ziyan?

  Despair sank in. Head down, unseen, a tear rolled down his cheek, spshing the floor. Only Lin Yu caught it, a sly smile pying on his lips as Situ g rambled on.

  A proud guy like Situ Deng g, however discreetly, showed how crushed he was. He might never recover that old swagger.

  Lin Yu’s mind drifted. He stayed quiet, knowing amidst these titans, a oner like him had little say. His thoughts turo the puter in his mind.

  “Strength—I need real power. In Heavenly Cloud Kingdom, frade Mystic Martialists or Body Fers trol their fate. I’ve got a Body F teique, but I haven’t stepped onto that path. The puter ‘download’ skills fast, but pushing too hard risks my body breaking down. And to grow stronger, I need Spirit Stones—lots of them.”

  “Wonder if Situ Deng will keep his word and cough up the thousand Spirit Stones. He wouldn’t welch, right? He’s the Situ ’s golden boy—a thousand’s just chump ge to him.”

  Lin Yu held his tongue, soaking in the chatter. Shuitian , nodding subtly. “This kid’s got a steady head. Shame about his meridians…”

  Han Ya caught his drift, smiling. “When I took Ling’er as my disciple, I sidered him for the Academy too. But his meridians are a mess—Body F’s out. You probably knew his dad.”

  Lin Ling’er’s eyes widened. Her brother’s meridiahat bad? She ched a fist. She khe issue, but barring Body F entirely? She’d seen him start that path this m.

  “Maybe Master Han slipped up,” she mused, staying quiet, flig a curious g Situ g. Didn’t Han Ya o mind him?

  “Even if Lin Yu’s skilled, he could start as a Spirit Chef in the Dining Pavilion,” Situ g pressed. “He’s young, ued. We don’t know how many Spirit Feasts he make. Sure, Braised Pork boosts third-grade cultivators, but it’s still a Spirit Feast—draining to craft. How many he out daily?”

  “Pushing him this high now is sabotage. Puye, you know how many eyes are on that Vice Head spot…”

  Shuitian looked up, grinning. “I know.”

  Situ g faltered, then pushed on. “If Lin Yu takes it, he’ll be a target—those coveting it will want him gone!”

  A plex glint crossed Shuitian’s eyes. Han Ya chuckled, c her mouth. “Situ g, no wonder you’re just a Body F Institute Elder despite being He Puye’s disciple. I thought it was your temper…”

  Pausing, a smirk fshed. “Now I see your thinking’s off too.”

  Situ g bowed despite her tone. “I’m slow-witted, missing the point. Please, Senior Sister, enlighten me.”

  Older than Han Ya, his pride should’ve bristled, yet he bent low…

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