Super Gene Ⅱ: Evolution

There are many difficult things in the world, but as long as you can shamelessly face them, at least half of them won't be difficult anymore.

Lin Shen didn't take the other five Star Constellation Masters seriously. If they came to make things hard for him, at worst he'd lose face due to lack of skill. No big deal.

After all, they couldn't kill him in the Central Heaven Star Divine Palace. So what was there to be afraid of? At most, Shi Zhongqing might strip him of his Star Constellation Master title. If that happened, so be it.

Lin Shen had already made up his mind. When Jiang Xishan came tomorrow, whatever he said or did, Lin Shen would just play along submissively. What could Jiang Xishan do to him, anyway?

Shi Zhongqing listened to all this with a stunned expression, but ultimately said nothing. He simply told Lin Shen to do whatever he wanted—it was his own business.

The next day, Lin Shen followed Shi Zhongqing to the teleportation station to welcome Jiang Xishan.

Under normal circumstances, Shi Zhongqing wouldn't need to show up for such an occasion; Lin Shen alone could handle the reception.

However, Jiang Xishan was a bit special. He was technically from the same generation as Shi Zhongqing. Though his rank was one grade lower, Shi Zhongqing still extended some courtesy.

Perhaps Shi Zhongqing was also trying to prevent Lin Shen from being humiliated too badly, which is why he came to greet Jiang Xishan personally.

Lin Shen knew Jiang Xishan was old, but didn't expect him to look *this* ancient. He seemed even older than Shi Zhongqing—his sparse gray-white hair was utterly feeble, though his beard was long enough to warrant attention. His face had more wrinkles than Shi Zhongqing, and his exaggerated eye bags drooped so low they nearly touched his cheekbones.

"How old is he? Still hasn't made it to Great Divine Official yet. By the time it's his turn, he probably won't serve for long." Lin Shen secretly mocked him in his heart.

Jiang Xishan exchanged a few pleasantries with Shi Zhongqing before turning his gaze to Lin Shen. His droopy eyelids reduced his eyes to mere slits, with a visible hint of yellow within.

"Pavilion Master Tian is indeed young and capable! The Star God Palace finally has promising successors," Jiang Xishan began, complimenting Lin Shen right away.

The praise made Lin Shen feel like a weasel wishing a chicken Happy New Year—full of ulterior motives.

"Snuggling up without good reason—it's either treachery or theft." Lin Shen thought inwardly, but outwardly responded, "Pavilion Master Jiang, you overpraise me. I still have much to learn."

"If you don't understand anything, you're welcome to consult me anytime," Jiang Xishan said.

His words made Lin Shen somewhat at a loss for how to respond. Though both were Star Constellation Masters and technically equals, Jiang Xishan's tone came across as patronizing.

However, given Jiang Xishan's age, he did have the seniority to make such statements.

"Pavilion Master Jiang has vast experience and knowledge. I'll surely seek your advice in the future," Lin Shen said.

"Why wait for the future when today works just as well?" Jiang Xishan suggested.

Lin Shen glanced at Shi Zhongqing, who showed no indication of intervening. Clearly, Shi Zhongqing wanted Lin Shen to handle this himself.

"Sure, that's fine. Just, I haven't yet decided what to consult you about. Pavilion Master Jiang, why don't you tell me what you excel at?" Lin Shen asked with composure.

"I'm skilled at getting hit. If you're interested, we can exchange experiences on taking hits," Jiang Xishan replied, catching Lin Shen off guard.

Lin Shen laughed, "I really am curious about what kind of wisdom getting hit could yield. Please enlighten me, Pavilion Master Jiang."

"The three key elements of getting hit: striking a cool pose, reacting swiftly, and maintaining an arrogant expression," Jiang Xishan rambled, his words becoming increasingly absurd.

Lin Shen was beginning to suspect that this old man wasn't here to provoke him, but rather to mess around with him.

"What's wrong? Don't understand?" Jiang Xishan asked with a grin when Lin Shen didn't respond.

"Too profound, I honestly don't get it," Lin Shen shook his head and said.

"No problem! I'll demonstrate for you, and you'll understand instantly," Jiang Xishan said, surveying the area. Noticing many Star Divine Officials were glancing their way, he nodded and added, "The space here is wide enough. Let's do the demonstration right here."

After speaking, Jiang Xishan walked back and forth slowly, picking a good spot before telling Lin Shen, "Alright, hit me."

In all his life, Lin Shen had never encountered someone making such a bizarre request. His expression grew complicated as he turned to Shi Zhongqing for help.

Shi Zhongqing stood off to the side, his face inscrutable. He clearly intended to let Lin Shen face this challenge alone.

"Pavilion Master Jiang, you've traveled a long way and haven't even had a drink yet. This doesn't seem appropriate. Why don't we head inside? I'll make some tea, and we can chat while sipping it," Lin Shen suggested.

"Tea can wait. If I don't finish the demonstration now, it'll weigh on my mind, and even the best tea won't taste right," Jiang Xishan said firmly, adopting a horse stance. He urged Lin Shen again, "Don't hesitate, make your move. We've got official business to handle afterward."

"Very well, as you insist." Lin Shen couldn't figure out the old man's motives, but at this point, retreat was not an option.

With Jiang Xishan standing there inviting him to strike, not acting would mean more than losing face—it'd render him unfit as the Star Constellation Master entirely.

"How should I hit him?" Lin Shen stood before Jiang Xishan, temporarily unsure of how to proceed.

"Use your full strength; whatever technique or weapon you excel at, let it out. The essence of getting hit lies in adapting to anything. No matter how you attack—any skill, tool, or ability—it will all be the same to me. Remember, to succeed, one must plant oneself firmly while being struck." Jiang Xishan pontificated righteously.

"Alright, here I go." Lin Shen stopped wasting words and delivered a full-force Surfing Fist strike.

Though Lin Shen didn't augment the punch with any skills, it was powered entirely by his Strength Attribute.

Jiang Xishan, with his reputation and prowess, couldn't possibly fail to withstand this one punch from Lin Shen.

Lin Shen assumed Jiang Xishan wouldn't simply take the hit passively—he must have some trick up his sleeve. Otherwise, how could this qualify as a test?

But Lin Shen couldn't quite grasp what Jiang Xishan's "trap" might be.

Would he use a counter skill to reflect the punch's force back onto Lin Shen? Or perhaps absorb Lin Shen's strength, leaving him powerless and taunting him afterward with, "Feeling weak? Punching like that won't cut it."

Of course, these were merely Lin Shen's guesses. In the blink of an eye, Lin Shen's fist connected squarely with Jiang Xishan's chest.

Jiang Xishan stood there in all his immortal-like grace, resembling an Old Immortal.

But as soon as Lin Shen's fist landed, the Old Immortal's body suddenly lifted off the ground, spinning countless full rotations—like a windmill caught in a gale—before crashing heavily to the ground in a heap.

"You… cruel… brute…" The Old Immortal lay there in a rather dramatic pose, spraying out a mouthful of blood as he cursed Lin Shen with three words.

Lin Shen was utterly stunned, watching the Old Immortal shakily rise from the ground, spit a final threat at him, then flee back through the teleportation station without so much as glancing back.