Zhao Qinghan had a tall, graceful figure. Tonight, she wore a fitted white dress that stopped just above her knees, accentuating her curves and long legs.
The night breeze lifted a strand of her smooth, black hair. Her fair, oval face was beautiful—usually gentle and sweet with a warm smile. But right now... that smile had frozen.
The scene fell silent. No one moved.
Even Zhao Qinghan, someone who'd seen her share of grand occasions and had high emotional intelligence, stood momentarily still in her white dress. It was clear how unusual the atmosphere had become.
Wang Xuan turned around and found himself face-to-face with her.
On the mountain, the red maples blazed like fire. The scenery was stunning, and the glittering lights of the city below made everything feel like a painted backdrop—peaceful and dreamlike.
Wang Xuan had never expected Zhao Qinghan to show up like this.
It was mostly Qin Cheng's sudden interruption that had changed the mood so dramatically.
"You're late. One drink as penalty," Wang Xuan said calmly.
No one had expected him to stay so composed. Without the slightest hesitation, he raised his glass and smiled at Zhao Qinghan.
Though Zhao Qinghan was usually poised and confident, having attended countless events, her body had momentarily tensed just now.
Out of habit, she raised her glass of red wine—but quickly composed herself again.
Halfway through the motion, she paused, her smile returning to her face—radiant and elegant. But she didn't speak, nor did she clink glasses with Wang Xuan. She wanted to see what kind of clever reaction he'd come up with next.
At that moment, Qin Cheng spoke up. "Qinghan, don't get the wrong idea. Old Wang's a stand-up guy. It's my fault—I talked too fast!"
Wang Xuan, who had been holding it together, suddenly wanted to roll his eyes. Brother, do you even know how to talk? Why are you jumping in again?!
The best way to handle a situation like this was to brush past it quickly and not explain anything. That's why he had remained expressionless earlier, as if nothing had happened.
Zhao Qinghan said nothing. She lightly touched her wine glass to his, took a gentle sip, then turned and walked away—leaving behind a graceful silhouette.
"What did I say wrong?" Qin Cheng asked, though he already knew he had overdone it and only made things worse.
Wang Xuan patted him on the shoulder. "You didn't say anything wrong. In fact, you did great. She left, and now no one feels awkward."
Qin Cheng, reeking of alcohol, muttered, "No, I was hoping to talk to her privately. Have a drink. Now she's gone. Who am I supposed to find?"
"Just go over to her," Kong Yi offered. "She hasn't left yet."
Then he pulled Wang Xuan aside to the edge of the mountaintop, overlooking the lights of the city below.
"Someone's speaking up for you—trying to get you to the New Planet," Kong Yi said, both hands resting on the railing.
Wang Xuan already knew that Professor Lin had spoken to the investors.
But he sensed Kong Yi had more to say, so he turned to look at him.
"The person in charge of the old techniques research project remembers you. Even though you don't meet the selection criteria, your performance in old-style martial arts was too extraordinary. They want to make an exception."
So there was more to it. Kong Yi had come to say something important.
"But Ling Wei's family intervened," he said. "They're trying to keep you grounded on Old Earth. They don't want you going to the New Planet."
The words hit like thunder. Wang Xuan sobered up instantly, his gaze turning sharp as he stared at Kong Yi.
Kong Yi, never one to back down, met his gaze squarely and said, "If you don't believe me, go investigate. There's always evidence left behind. Besides, if I know, others do too."
"Why are you telling me this?" Wang Xuan asked.
"I don't want you getting half the story and wrongly thinking I'm the one holding you back. I'm not taking that blame," Kong Yi replied coldly.
Before walking away, he added in a low voice, "Her family is far more powerful and influential than you realize."
Watching his figure vanish into the villa lights, Wang Xuan remained where he stood, turning again to look out over the brilliant cityscape.
"Did I think too well of people?" he whispered to himself.
Qin Cheng had previously wondered aloud if Wang Xuan's ex-girlfriend's family had blocked his way. Wang Xuan had dismissed it then, thinking it unlikely.
He had met Ling Wei's father—more precisely, the man had come to see him, applying pressure.
At their first meeting, Ling Qiming had been stern. But even then, Wang Xuan saw the concern of a father on his face, worried his daughter might choose poorly.
Ling Qiming had interrogated him, sharply. But Wang Xuan hadn't taken offense.
He had put himself in the man's shoes. If his daughter had found a boyfriend on another planet, he'd be anxious too. He might even fly there to check things out.
Ling Qiming's aura had been overwhelming. Eventually, it wore Wang Xuan down. He'd been warned—again and again.
Still, back then, the man hadn't resorted to secret tactics. That left Wang Xuan with a somewhat decent impression.
Wang Xuan had never liked to assume the worst in people. He always tried to see things from others' perspectives. To him, Ling Qiming was just a forceful father, overprotective, perhaps—but still understandable.
Until now.
"I've been too naive," he murmured.
He shook his head, let out a long breath, and turned back. What was done was done. There was no point in dwelling. Life had to move forward.
"Wang Xuan, over here!" Zhou Kun called out, inviting him to drink.
Wang Xuan's eyes narrowed. He knew what Zhou Kun was like once he started drinking—completely uninhibited and talkative to a fault.
"I told you earlier," Zhou Kun said. "Tonight, we drink and talk. No holding back."
Nearby, Su Chan, Xu Wenbo, and the others flinched slightly. Zhou Kun was clearly about to spill secrets. Once drunk, the guy would answer anything.
"Is he doing this on purpose?" Li Qingzhu whispered.
Su Chan smirked. "Let him. 'New techniques' won't be a secret for long anyway. It'll reach Old Earth eventually."
Wang Xuan understood—Zhou Kun was using his drunkenness to leak some intel.
Just then, Qin Cheng swaggered over, grinning. "I just had a drink with the goddess. She said she'd visit me on the moon sometime. Oh, and she asked about you—wanted to know how far you've gotten with old techniques. I told her you're about 9.8 Kong Yis, 12.5 Zhou Kuns, and 11.6 Xu Wenbos."
Zhou Kun, still trying to pretend he was drunk, snapped out of it. "Qin Cheng, who even compares people like that?!"
Kong Yi walked over, clearly annoyed. "Do you even know how to talk?"
Even the usually reserved Xu Wenbo couldn't hold back—his mouth twitched. "Qin Cheng, I'm a unit of measurement now?"
"It's just a joke. Come on, we're all men here. Let's drink!" Qin Cheng said, pulling Zhou Kun closer.
Zhou Kun squinted. He's clearly trying to get me drunk to fish for intel. Doesn't he know I want to leak it to Wang Xuan?
Wang Xuan quickly intervened, worried Qin Cheng might actually drink Zhou Kun under the table. "Slow down."
But it was already too late. Zhou Kun had had half a cup and was starting to loosen up.
"Let me tell you, over on the New Planet, there's something called 'New Techniques.' Some call it 'Super Techniques,' and others—'Divine Techniques'…"
"Zhou Kun, you've got guts—talking like that in public? Some of this stuff is still classified!"
A sharp voice cut through the night.
A tall, well-built young man strode over. He had short hair, a muscular frame, and piercing eyes.
"Brother Yun," Zhou Kun said, suddenly sobering. But he didn't look nervous—he clearly knew this guy.
This "Brother Yun" was a few years older than Zhou Kun and the others. His skin had a healthy bronze glow, and his presence was forceful. He spoke without softening his tone, staring directly at Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng. "You guys really trying to get him drunk for intel?"
Zhou Kun stepped in quickly. "Brother Yun, it's just a classmate gathering. If you want to drink, go inside."
Kong Yi, Xu Wenbo, and the others stepped up too, trying to block him off.
"Who the hell are you? Got a problem with everything? Did you eat gunpowder for dinner?" Qin Cheng retorted bluntly.
Seeing Su Chan, Li Qingzhu, and the others coming over, Brother Yun smiled. "Why so tense? I'm not that unreasonable."
Zhao Qinghan arrived. "Brother Yun, I know why you're here. But can you not do this?"
He smiled again. "I'm not here to stir trouble. Just heard someone here is pretty good with old techniques. Thought I'd spar a little."
"Wang Xuan, you're curious about New Techniques, aren't you? Come spar with me. I'll give you a demonstration."
For a moment, even the students from the New Planet were stunned—he had mastered New Techniques?!
Wang Xuan stayed calm. He had already noticed this man earlier—he had come on a small flying craft that had landed near the two main saucers.
From the moment he arrived, he had repeatedly looked Wang Xuan over, studying him.
Now, he was calling him out directly.
"Just a friendly spar. Old vs. New. Do you have the confidence?" Brother Yun asked again.
Wang Xuan studied his face, thinking.
Normally, if someone had challenged him out of the blue, he'd ignore it.
But this time… this man had learned New Techniques. Wang Xuan was curious. He wanted to see what this new path looked like.
"New Techniques—also called Super Techniques," the man said confidently. "Some even prefer to call them Divine Techniques."
Then he added, "Old techniques? On the New Planet, they're nearly obsolete. Some people even call them 'outdated arts.'"
He beckoned. "Want to prove yourself? Show the world that the old arts still have some light left in them."
(End of Chapter)