123: Chapter 123 Nine Great Geniuses! That Senior with the Strange Look
Lieutenant Liu Yang led Lin Feng through the corridor to a door at the end of the second floor.
"This is your room." Lieutenant Liu Yang pushed open the door. "Dinner will be delivered at seven o'clock. There's a meeting at eight; I'll come to pick you up."
Lin Feng nodded. "Alright, thank you."
Lieutenant Liu Yang gave a salute and turned to leave. His footsteps gradually faded away in the corridor.
Lin Feng stepped into the room. It wasn't large, but it was very tidy. There was a single bed with white sheets folded neatly, a desk, a chair, and a desk lamp. A wardrobe held a few bathrobes. The window was large, offering a view of the courtyard. Moonlight spilled onto the lawn and illuminated several old sycamore trees, their leaves rustling in the night breeze.
Lin Feng placed his backpack on the table, walked to the window, and pushed it open. The night breeze blew in, carrying the scent of grass and earth, along with the occasional chirp of insects from afar. He took a deep breath, feeling himself relax significantly.
From the East Sea to The Capital, it was over a thousand kilometers. From morning to night, it had been over a dozen hours. He had experienced the attack on the high-speed rail, that great battle, and the intervention of that mysterious person. Now, he could finally rest.
He closed the window and drew the curtains. He walked to the bedside and sat down. The bed was soft, the quilt light, and the pillow fluffy. He lay down, staring at the ceiling. There was a round light on the ceiling emitting a warm yellow glow. The light was soft and not harsh, making the entire room feel warm and cozy.
He closed his eyes. In his mind, the silhouette of that person surfaced again. The hand that had crushed the pillar of light with a gentle squeeze, the figure that had vanished in an instant. Too strong. So strong it made him feel that the strength he had been proud of over the past few months was not even worth mentioning before a truly powerful expert.
He opened his eyes and sat up. No, he couldn't think about that. Thinking about it was useless. Instead of envying the strength of others, it was better to make himself stronger. He got off the bed and sat cross-legged on the carpet.
He began to circulate the Solar Saint Body Tempering Method.
The mana within his body began to flow slowly. Golden light elements gathered from all directions, merging into his body. He felt every cell breathing, absorbing that warm energy. A faint golden glow flowed across the surface of his skin. The temperature in the room seemed to rise slightly.
[Solar Saint Body Tempering Method: Circulating]
[Physique +0.1...+0.1...+0.1...]
Time passed minute by minute. The sound of insects outside gradually thinned. The moon moved from the east to the west, and the moonlight shifted from one window to another. Footsteps occasionally echoed in the corridor—light and quick—the sound of patrolling soldiers.
After an unknown amount of time, Lin Feng opened his eyes. Outside, the sky was completely dark. He glanced at the clock on the wall—6:50. He stood up and stretched his limbs. *Crack, pop*—his joints made crisp sounds.
[Physique +2]
[Current Physique: 194]
He nodded in satisfaction. Though it was only an increase of 2 points, little bits add up. He walked to the window and pushed it open. The night breeze rushed in, bringing a hint of chill. The streetlights in the courtyard were on, casting a dim yellow light on the lawn and the sycamore trees. In the distance, the lights of The Capital were faintly visible, patches of them resembling a galaxy in the sky.
*Knock, knock, knock.* A knock at the door.
"Comrade Lin Feng, dinner is here," came Lieutenant Liu Yang's voice.
Lin Feng walked over and opened the door. Lieutenant Liu Yang stood at the entrance holding a tray. On the tray were two dishes, a soup, and rice—braised ribs, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, tomato and egg soup, and a bowl of white rice. It was steaming hot and smelled delicious.
"Please enjoy your meal." Lieutenant Liu Yang placed the tray on the table.
"Thank you."
Lieutenant Liu Yang nodded and turned to leave. Lin Feng closed the door and sat at the table. He picked up a rib and took a bite. The meat was tender and tasted good. He ate a few mouthfuls and then took a sip of the soup. The tomato and egg soup was sweet and sour, very appetizing.
After finishing, he placed the tray by the door. He washed his face and changed into clean clothes—a white T-shirt and black casual pants, simple and clean. He looked at himself in the mirror; sixteen years old, still young. But his eyes were no longer the eyes a sixteen-year-old should have. He smiled and turned to head out.
The lights in the corridor were bright. Lieutenant Liu Yang was already waiting at the door.
"Please follow me."
Lin Feng followed him down the stairs, through the hall, and to the door at the very end of the first-floor corridor. The brass plate on the door read: [Conference Room].
Lieutenant Liu Yang pushed open the door. "Please enter."
Lin Feng walked inside.
The conference room was large. A massive oval meeting table could seat twenty people. Microphones, water glasses, and notebooks were arranged on the table. Overhead was a giant circular chandelier casting bright light. On the front wall hung a massive national flag, red as fire. Below the national flag was a row of military flags, neatly arranged.
Nine people were already seated around the table. They were all young, ranging from sixteen or seventeen to their early twenties. There were both men and women, wearing various types of clothing—some in military uniforms, some in Explorer uniforms, and some in casual wear. Every one of them exuded a powerful aura.
The moment Lin Feng walked in, everyone's gaze focused on him.
Those gazes held curiosity, scrutiny, appraisal, and disdain. Expressionless, he walked to the table and found an empty seat.
Opposite him, a young man in a military uniform looked at him with a smirk. "You're Lin Feng?"
Lin Feng nodded. "I am."
The young man in uniform nodded and said no more. But his eyes clearly said: *This is it?*
Lin Feng ignored him. He looked around, observing these nine people.
The first was a girl, seventeen or eighteen, with a high ponytail, wearing a white Explorer uniform. Her features were delicate, but her gaze was sharp, like an unsheathed blade. She sat there with her posture perfectly straight, hands folded on the table.
[Xiao Yutong, 18 years old, Seeded Contestant of The Capital Explorer Association]
[Rank: 49]
[Physique: Prodigy-Rank · Wind-Thunder Saint Body]
[Talent: S-Rank · Wind-Thunder Control]
[Achievements: Champion of the National Youth Explorer Competition, solo cleared the Rank 45 Dungeon 'Thunder Cloud Canyon']
The second was a boy, sixteen or seventeen, not much older than Lin Feng. He had a buzz cut, a square face, and dark skin, wearing a military uniform with the Rank of Second Lieutenant on his shoulders. He sat upright like a pine tree.
[Zhao Tiejun, 17 years old, New Soldier King of The Capital Military Region]
[Rank: 48]
[Physique: Prodigy-Rank · Indestructible Vajra Body]
[Talent: S-Rank · Iron Will]
[Achievements: First place in the All-Army Grand Tournament, dismantled a Rank 50 mechanical monster with bare hands]
The third was a man in his early twenties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and looking quite scholarly. He wore a white researcher's uniform with an Academy of Sciences badge pinned to his chest.
[Chen Zhixing, 22 years old, Genius Researcher of the Academy of Sciences]
[Rank: 47]
[Physique: elite-Rank · Intellect Body]
[Talent: SS-Rank · Eye of Analysis]
[Achievements: Analyzed the weaknesses of 37 types of monsters, participated in tactical planning for four arena competitions]
The fourth was a girl, sixteen or seventeen, with twin tails, wearing a pink tracksuit. She looked like a middle school student, but her eyes were frighteningly bright.
[Su Xiaoxiao, 17 years old, Direct Descendant of the Su Family (Granddaughter of Old Master Su Wanshan)]
[Rank: 46]
[Physique: Prodigy-Rank · Spirit Eye Saint Body]
[Talent: S-Rank · Eye of Truth]
[Achievements: Can see through all illusions and stealth, assisted in many high-difficulty missions]
The fifth was a boy, eighteen or nineteen, wearing a black tight-fitting combat suit with two short blades hanging at his waist. Taciturn, he sat in a corner like a shadow.
[Li Mo, 19 years old, Seeded Contestant of the Shadow Organization]
[Rank: 48]
[Physique: Prodigy-Rank · Shadow Body]
[Talent: S-Rank · Night Walker]
[Achievements: Rookie King of the Shadow Organization, assassinated a Rank 55 target]
The sixth was a boy, seventeen or eighteen, wearing a magnificent brocade robe and fiddling with a jade pendant. Between his brows was a hint of arrogance.
[Zhou Tianyu, 18 years old, Direct Descendant of the Zhou Family (Son of Zhou Tiannan)]
[Rank: 47]
[Physique: Prodigy-Rank · Blazing Saint Body]
[Talent: S-Rank · Fire Gods Descent]
[Achievements: Number one of the Zhou Family's younger generation, key cultivation target of the Family]
When Lin Feng saw the words "Direct Descendant of the Zhou Family," his brow furrowed slightly. A member of the Zhou Family? He thought of Zhou Tianhao, he thought of Zhou Tiannan, and he thought of that battle that had nearly cost him his life. He glanced at Zhou Tianyu. Zhou Tianyu was also looking at him. Their eyes met, and a smile curled on Zhou Tianyu's lips. That smile was meaningful.
Lin Feng withdrew his gaze and continued looking down the list.
The seventh was a boy, seventeen or eighteen, wearing the uniform of Capital Academy with the academy badge pinned to his chest. He was handsome and had a refined, elegant temperament; sitting there, he looked like a painting.
[Li Mingze, 18 years old, Third-Year Top Student of Capital Academy]
[Rank: 49]
[Physique: Prodigy-Rank · Starlight Body]
[Talent: S-Rank · Light of the Stars]
[Achievements: First place in the Academy Tournament, solo cleared the Rank 48 Dungeon 'Starlight Ruins']
Li Mingze. Lin Feng's gaze lingered on him for an extra second. Third-year top student of Capital Academy. He remembered what Chen Lin had said about that person—"His name is Li Mingze, a third-year senior at the academy. S-Rank Talent, Prodigy-Rank Physique. He's very nice, very gentle, and treats me very well."
So it was him.
Lin Feng withdrew his gaze expressionlessly. Li Mingze was also looking at him, his eyes carrying a hint of... inquiry? Scrutiny? Or something else? Lin Feng didn't know and didn't care to think about it. He continued looking down.
The eighth was a girl in her early twenties, wearing a white doctor's uniform with a Red Cross badge. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, and her smile was gentle, like a spring breeze.
[Ye Xinyi, 21 years old, Chief Healer of the Military Region General Hospital]
[Rank: 45]
[Physique: elite-Rank · Life Body]
[Talent: A-Rank · Life Blessing]
[Achievements: Participated in many major missions and healed countless wounded. Although she has an A-Rank Talent, her healing ability is second to none, and she was selected as an exception]
The ninth was a boy, sixteen or seventeen, about the same age as Lin Feng. He wore an ordinary tracksuit and looked like the boy next door. But those eyes were as deep as the sea.
[Lin Feng, 17 years old (same name, different person), Civilian Explorer]
[Rank: 46]
[Physique: Prodigy-Rank · Myriad Law Body]
[Talent: S-Rank · Myriad Laws Returning to Source]
[Achievements: Self-taught, mastered twelve types of elemental skills, known as the 'Number One Civilian Genius']