Super Gene Ⅱ: Evolution

Lin Shen wanted to make an immediate decision in favor of Hu, but Ouyang Yudu had Hu return first, saying to let Lin Shen finish the process before making a decision.

After all, since she had come, it was only right to review her performance before deciding.

Lin Shen felt that there was some reason to this, as they couldn't just send her back without even meeting her—that would be too likely to attract negative attention to the Celestial Master Institute.

So, Lin Shen had to patiently continue the evaluation. He had thought it was merely a formality, but when candidate number 18 walked in, he suddenly felt as if a light shone before his eyes.

Lin Shen rarely used the word "sexy" to describe a woman with short hair, but the short hair of the woman before him seemed so fitting, perfectly revealing the lines of her face.

Her beauty was clean, sharp—a kind of forthright beauty that struck straight to the soul.

All demureness, all scholarly grace seemed insignificant in the face of such refreshing sexiness.

"Postnatal cultivation is certainly important, but innate qualities cannot be changed." After seeing this candidate, Lin Shen suddenly felt that Hu might have seemed a bit too rugged.

Lin Shen flipped through the photos Ouyang Yudu had given him. Indeed, there was such a woman, but just looking at the photographs did not do her justice—she was much more beautiful in person.

Her figure was slender yet not skinny, plump yet not fat, dignified yet stunning—these phrases seemed to have been created just for her.

"Introduce yourself," Ouyang Yu prompted from the side.

"Lin Wan, Human, 22, Tenth Turn Ascender, jack of all trades, master of none," the woman said with a smile.

The name Lin Wan reminded Lin Shen of a beautiful line from a poem written by a human sage, her name being the last two characters of that line.

"Can you cook?" asked Lin Shen.

"Yes," Lin Wan nodded.

"Can you do household chores?" Lin Shen asked again.

"Yes," Lin Wan nodded once more. Explore hidden tales at empire

"Cough..." Ouyang Yudu coughed lightly, interrupting Lin Shen, and asked Lin Wan, "Are you familiar with Celestial Race etiquette and have some understanding of the Celestial Race?"

"Which type of Celestial Race etiquette are you referring to?" Lin Wan asked.

"Is there a difference?" inquired Ouyang Yudu.

"There are three types of Celestial Race etiquette. The ancient etiquette is rarely used nowadays, modern etiquette is divided into noble etiquette and popular etiquette. Popular etiquette is suitable for everyone, but noble etiquette is somewhat complex..." Lin Wan spoke smoothly as she explained the various etiquettes of the Celestial Race.

"Yudu, I think we should choose her—competent, high level, and also beautiful," Lin Shen said.

"Let's still finish the whole process, there are only two candidates left," Ouyang Yudu said.

"Very well, Ms. Lin Wan, please wait outside for a moment, and we'll talk later," Lin Shen said to Lin Wan.

Ouyang Yudu couldn't help but give a wry smile, Lin Shen had already made up his mind.

The final two candidates were indeed impressive, but, like those Ouyang Yudu had chosen before, they possessed an inner beauty that slightly overshadowed their outer beauty.

After they had left, Lin Shen called Lin Wan, who had been waiting outside, back in. He smiled at her and said, "We both bear the Lin surname, and we're both Human; centuries ago, we might have been from the same family. When we're before others, you can call me Dean; when it's just us, feel free to call me Lin Shen."

"Lin Shen." Lin Wan's voice wasn't particularly melodious, nor did it have a nasal twang; it was even somewhat cold, yet it managed to give people an itch in their hearts.

After signing the contract with Lin Wan and watching her leave, Ouyang Yudu said with a bitter smile, "Mr. Lin Shen, be careful not to fall for a beauty's trap and don't be too quick to trust her just because she's Human. There are countless examples of being betrayed by one's own kind in the universe."

Lin Shen chuckled, "What do you take me for? I have my own judgement."

"It would be good if you really do," Ouyang Yudu knew this Mr. Lin Shen was a playful character and didn't say anything more. Instead, he changed the subject, "About the challenge from Tian Xun's Third Mountain, what do you plan to do?"

"Why bother about him? If he likes to come, then let him. I don't have time to pay him any mind," Lin Shen said indifferently.

"It's not that simple. Third Mountain being approved to enter Sky Pinnacle Star and even being allowed to live broadcast the event, I can see the hand of the Celestial Court behind all this," Ouyang Yudu remarked.

Lin Shen was well aware of this and said nonchalantly, "The Celestial Court doesn't want the Celestial Master Institute to rise again; naturally, it will do everything to obstruct us. Third Mountain is merely a pawn. If he manages to defeat me, then the Celestial Court will recruit him, and the various races of the universe will think that the Celestial Race has a broad mind, capable of accepting powerful individuals from all races. They will gain a good reputation and also strike a blow against both the Celestial Master Institute and the Heavenly Emperor; it's a win-win for them."

"If Third Mountain loses, the universe's top-ranking Ascender would have been defeated by a subordinate of the Celestial Race, which would also be beneficial to our reputation. The Celestial Court's calculation is indeed shrewd," Ouyang Yudu added with a laugh.

"Exactly, so I can't be bothered with him; let him wander around Sky Pinnacle Star all he wants. If I ignore him, surely the Celestial Court can't keep him here forever, right?" Lin Shen stated.

"That's true, but the Celestial Court will definitely find a way to pressure you; they won't let you be so comfortable," Ouyang retorted.

"I'll just go hide on Celestial Star then, can they really come and drag me out?" Lin Shen asked.

Ouyang Yudu smiled, "Of course not, but I think accepting the challenge might not be a bad idea. However, Tian Xun's Third Mountain is not an ordinary opponent; his Strength is probably not inferior to the likes of Kristin but in a different style. Even Kristin might have an uncertain battle against him."

"I've watched his battles; that damage rebound ability is indeed formidable. The stronger the offensive Strength, the greater the damage to the attacker. It's unknown if Kristin's sword light can break through his damage rebound. If it can, then Third Mountain doesn't stand a chance. But if it can't, Kristin will definitely lose, as that damage rebound is too perverse," Lin Shen mused.

Ouyang Yudu nodded, "So, are you confident you can beat him? If you are, it would be better to take him down swiftly. Humanity's reputation has just begun to rise; if you can win this battle, it would offer more opportunities for Humans living under the protection of other races, preventing them from being treated as cannon fodder by those in power."

Lin Shen was also aware that Humanity's current situation wasn't that great; most Human clans were nothing more than cannon fodder.

Just like the Metichi Family, which was subservient to Tian Xun, contributed manpower and resources to help Tian Xun expand – they were pure cannon fodder.

Their ambition to target Tian Xun was precisely to escape such a fate.

Now, with the rise of Humans in the cosmic rankings, some powerful clans began to see Human potential, at least paying some attention to Human families aligning with them, potentially offering them more opportunities for development. Perhaps a few would be able to escape the fate of being cannon fodder.

"It shouldn't be hard," Lin Shen thought for a moment then suddenly laughed, "This isn't the rankings, after all; anything goes. To beat him, I don't need to lift a finger myself."