Chapter 9: Three Parts Shock, Three Parts Admiration, Four Parts Guilt

Xu Qing led the group inside, and Lin Xiao and the others immediately followed. Lin Xiao noticed that the guy who looked about his age had somehow ended up right beside him.

“Hello, may I ask your name?” Lin Xiao frowned, feeling this fellow was up to no good.

“I’m Lin Xiao, but before you ask others, shouldn’t you introduce yourself first?”

“My apologies, I’m Sun Bin, eighteen years old, Level Two Awakened, SS-class Beast Transformation, White Tiger type.”

Hearing Sun Bin’s introduction, Lin Xiao took a sharp breath. Although he had just been reborn into this world, thanks to absorbing the memories of the original owner, he understood the cultivation system here.

The cultivation levels in this world ranged from Level One to Level Nine, with Level One as the lowest and Level Nine as the highest. Both humans and spirit beasts were classified according to these levels.

Sun Bin, so young, was already a Level Two Awakened—how could Lin Xiao not be surprised? Normally, students awakened during their final year of high school, with the school administering the awakening ceremony. Those who succeeded became Level One Awakened.

The whole country awakened at the same time, and it had only been a few days since the ceremony. Yet this guy was already Level Two. While some families could accelerate their children’s progress through abundant resources, it was impossible for someone to advance from Level One to Level Two in just a few days.

There was only one explanation: Sun Bin had awakened on his own.

Awakening in this world was divided into autonomous and passive types. While everyone could awaken, the chance of doing so autonomously was less than one in ten thousand. Most people awakened passively at seventeen or eighteen, through the school’s ceremony.

Autonomous awakening meant the individual awakened themselves before the ceremony. Such people were considered prodigies, and the earlier they awakened, the greater their potential.

For example, if someone awakened at ten years old, they would have seven or eight extra years of cultivation compared to passive awakeners—how enviable was that?

Lin Xiao’s school had produced only one S-class Awakened, Ji Boxiao, and the school was already overjoyed. Yet Sun Bin was SS-class—how could Lin Xiao not be stunned?

Indeed, this world was never short of geniuses.

He had chosen to lie low, but Lin Xiao still felt deeply provoked. He was a transmigrator, and not only did he lack a golden finger, but his own awakening was a useless F-class ability.

Comparisons truly infuriate.

But Lin Xiao quickly recovered; his greatest strength was being able to accept things easily. Otherwise, with his circumstances, he would have long sunk into depression.

Watching Lin Xiao’s shifting expressions, Sun Bin was puzzled.

“Hey, I’ve introduced myself, shouldn’t you tell us more about yourself?”

Sun Bin and Lin Xiao hadn’t bothered to keep their voices down, so the others were listening closely, curious about Lin Xiao’s situation.

“There’s not much to say. I’m not a genius like you, just an ordinary person, and I awakened the weakest F-class ability.”

Sun Bin looked unconvinced.

“Are you kidding? If you awakened an F-class, how could you get in here? I barely qualify, so how are you allowed to work here?”

Lin Xiao gave a bitter smile. What kind of place had he stumbled into? Even an SS-class Awakened wasn’t qualified to work here?

But he wasn’t here to work.

A sly smile crept across Lin Xiao’s face.

Everyone step aside! It’s time to show off!

“I’m not here to work, I live here. If you don’t believe me, ask Xiao Xu!”

Xu Qing looked at the ceiling, speechless. This guy really had no shame. Yet she couldn’t refute him; everything he said was true.

Seeing Sun Bin and the others look to her for confirmation, Xu Qing didn’t bother to explain.

“That’s right, he’s telling the truth.”

With her confirmation, the others’ gazes toward Lin Xiao instantly changed. Sun Bin’s eyes became deeply complicated.

Lin Xiao didn’t know how to interpret the look—three parts shock, three parts admiration, and four parts guilt.

Sun Bin cupped his hands toward Lin Xiao. “My apologies, I’ve been rude. I shouldn’t have doubted you. If you need anything, just let me know.”

Sun Bin knew how difficult it was to move in here; even if Lin Xiao’s ability was only F-class, he must have made outstanding contributions in some other field.

Xu Qing knew this family was mistaken but didn’t bother to correct them. After all, once Old Sun’s birthday was over, they would leave. There was no need to explain.

Lin Xiao, however, caught a different implication in Sun Bin’s words. According to him, not just anyone could live here. All residents were extraordinary.

Well, he’d slowly learn about this place.

He didn’t want to tell Sun Bin that he’d simply paid his way in—there was a misunderstanding, but letting it persist wasn’t a bad thing.

“All right, as long as you know. Xiao Xu, don’t just stand there—let’s not delay Old Sun’s birthday celebration.”

Xu Qing: (╬￣皿￣)

This guy really knows how to climb the social ladder, has he forgotten how he actually moved in?

Fine, let him be. If word got out, her own reputation would suffer.

At that moment, Xu Qing led them into a separate hall. She opened the door, revealing a banquet set for Old Sun’s birthday.

One by one, they entered, and Lin Xiao’s gaze swept the room.

Seated inside were the elderly residents of the retirement home; Lin Xiao spotted Liu Jiao and Zhao Hua. Though age had left its mark, everyone looked lively and spirited.

He even saw some with disabilities, but none had a trace of defeat on their faces. Each wore a broad smile, exemplifying resilience and inner strength.

At the center of the hall sat a vigorous old man, muscles knotted all over his body. Lin Xiao was certain he wouldn’t withstand a single punch from him. If not for the head of silver hair, Lin Xiao would have thought he wasn’t even sixty.

Looking at the three muscular men beside him, if this wasn’t a family of bodybuilders, nothing else would make sense.

He guessed this must be Old Sun, the guest of honor.

Truly, age had not dulled his vitality!

As the group entered, all eyes in the hall turned toward them.

Old Sun smiled at the newcomers. At least these kids had a conscience—they hadn’t forgotten his birthday.

But who was that unfamiliar youngster? He didn’t recall having a grandson like this.

Could it be an illegitimate child from his son or grandson?

The kid was so thin and frail—not like one of his own.