Age of Evolution

If there were no one else around, going nude wouldn’t be a problem. However, Lin Zhen was rather embarrassed because the present company was Su Mingyue, the pure and noble Saintess of the Divine Sect.

Despite this, Lin Zhen had lived a life of a thousand years, and this was his second life after all. His thick skin was unparalleled. Thinking that Su Mingyue must feel uncomfortable, he decided to go along with it. After all, she wouldn’t dare to attack him in such a state, would she?

Lin Zhen returned to his den carrying the mantis leg, then tossed it on the ground. He said, “What a small world, I have run into the Saintess here again. Surely you didn’t come looking for me?”

Su Mingyue’s face was red-hot. She wanted to leave but did not want to give in that easily. She couldn’t bear to turn her head and look back, so she turned to the side and said to Lin Zhen, “Will you please put on some clothes before you talk?”

“Where do I find clothes now? My clothes got ruined in the fight. I don’t have any spare ones. You may lend your long skirt to me. I don’t mind if you laugh at me,” he replied.

“You… If you continue like this, I won’t play nice,” Su Mingyue warned him, somewhat angry now.

Lin Zhen smiled, raised his hand, and a piece of liquid metal that was originally stored in the Space Ring came flying out. It transformed into something like an armored skirt and covered his lower half.

“Now this should do it, you can turn around now,” he said.

Su Mingyue hesitated, then turned back to see Lin Zhen dressed in an armor. Finally, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Of course, she didn’t realize that it was liquid metal. She simply thought it was regular armor.

With an expression as cold as frost on her pretty face, Su Mingyue drew her sword and asked, “Lin Zhen, why did you run away? Are you mocking me?”

With his heart in a hurry to absorb the Comet Crystal, Lin Zhen didn’t want to engage in small talk with Su Mingyue. It had been three minutes already. He made sure to be brief, “I have my reasons, but I can’t explain thoroughly at the moment. You wanted me to join the Star Sky Divine Teaching, didn’t you? Can we follow up on this some other time?”

“I had made up my mind before coming here, ” Su Mingyue replied, “You’re a person of despicable character, greedy and self-centered. You stood by while your companions were in danger, trying to profit from the misfortunes of others. Even if you were to join our Gods Clan, I’m afraid you’d cause a catastrophe. So, I’ve changed my mind.”

“How did you change your mind? Do you mean to deal with me?” Lin Zhen queried her.

“Yes. I intend to teach you a lesson so that you don’t cause any more trouble!”

Looking at this naive girl who had been thoroughly brainwashed by her religion, Lin Zhen felt utterly helpless.

If it were any other time, he could probably have a reasonable discussion with Su Mingyue. But right now, the Comet Crystal was still in the Space Ring, and four minutes had already passed. If he delayed much longer, he wouldn’t have anything left at all.

However, he was still dissatisfied. The Su Mingyue he was seeing now wasn’t the same person he knew from his past life. The Su Mingyue from his past life, who had courageously resisted the True God of the Stars after recognizing his true face, wasn’t here anymore. Lin Zhen felt compelled to say a few words.

“Su Saintess, I’m truly saddened by your naivety. You say that I’m not up to the mark, but are all the people from your Star Sky Divine Teaching virtuous?” Lin Zhen asked.

Su Mingyue’s radiant face showed a hint of pride, “Of course. Every member of the Star Sky Divine Teaching must possess qualities such as sincerity, kindness, bravery, and fearlessness. For example, a few days ago, when you were hiding and preparing to steal something, several of our people were bravely fighting. Faced with a strong enemy, none of them retreated. That’s what it means to be brave and fearless.”

“Ha, are you implying that Tang Yu and your fellow companions are all qualified believers too?”

“Yes, they are all exceptional and would never neglect a companion’s safety like you. Even if it’s for a stranger, they would fight out of a sense of justice and not fear any enemy.” Su Mingyue’s response was firm and decisive.

Unable to contain himself, Lin Zhen scratched his head. As he could not persuade this stubborn girl in such a short period, he tried a different approach, “Alright, let’s say you’re right, but could you give me some time? I am sure I can convince you. Just give me an hour.”

“No way! Don’t try any tricks on me. I fell for it once, and I won’t be fooled a second time!”

Su Mingyue spoke, swinging her sword in hand. She was indeed preparing to strike Lin Zhen.

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Lin Zhen knew that even if he was in perfect condition, he may not be a match for Su Mingyue, let alone now when he was completely exhausted.

“You forced me into this!”

Lin Zhen gritted his teeth and played a dirty trick.

The liquid metal around his waist suddenly slipped, revealing his boxers beneath.

Su Mingyue instinctively covered her eyes and momentarily halted her attack, giving Lin Zhen the opportunity to retreat.

“You shameless thief! Even if you stoop so low, I won’t back down easily,” she shouted.

Su Mingyue seemed to force herself to continue her attack on Lin Zhen, but then she saw him reaching for the edge of his boxers ready to pull them off. Moreover, he warned Su Mingyue, “If you dare to come any closer, I swear I’ll pee on your skirt.”

Su Mingyue couldn’t handle Lin Zhen’s shamelessness anymore. She stomped her foot hard, turned around, and backed off. “You have one hour, and if you don’t have a reasonable explanation after an hour, you’ll have me to answer to,” she threatened.

Lin Zhen heaved a sigh of relief secretly. It was a last resort, and he figured this trick would only work on someone as innocent as Su Mingyue. Growing up in the church, she led a life similar to an ascetic monk’s, having little to no knowledge of the outside world. Nobody had ever disrespected her. This trick would have failed miserably on anyone else.

Looking back, though, Lin Zhen didn’t feel much killing intent from Su Mingyue. This girl still seemed to hold a grudge due to being tricked by him, she didn’t actually want to kill him. It’s more likely she wanted to punish him. Once he had learned his lesson, she would try to brainwash him into joining her Gods Clan.

“Heh, naive little girl, you gave me an hour. And in an hour, I’ll be fully re-energized, and my realm will have grown stronger. Then even if I can’t beat you, you won’t be able to catch me,” Lin Zhen thought.

Lin Zhen made up his mind, dropped the mantis leg, and ran behind a tree trunk, disappearing from sight.

Su Mingyue stood there dumbfounded, the blush on her face hadn’t yet faded, and she surprisingly even forgot to supervise whether Lin Zhen would run away.

All she thought about was how to make Lin Zhen obedient and willingly join the Gods Clan after tidying him up, after all, it was rare to find a junior war general who could compete with her and even almost win.

“What kind of doctrine can persuade him? It would be best if there were examples, as they are the most persuasive.”

Su Mingyue racked her brains, and after about half an hour, footsteps were faintly heard from far away.

“Is Lin Zhen coming back? No, he went in that direction, didn’t he?”

While Su Mingyue was puzzled, the leaves in front of her rustled, and two people appeared.

It wasn’t Lin Zhen, it was actually Tang Yu and his companion Yingying.

“Tang Yu? Yingying? How come you two are here?” Su Mingyue asked.

“Mingyue, we finally found you. Yingying found the markings you left and followed them here.”

Tang Yu walked up to Su Mingyue, his eyes full of tenderness. Seeing the beauty so close and smelling her faint fragrance, he could hardly keep himself from embracing her then and there.

Yingying also approached: “Yeah, we were even chased halfway here, thanks to brother Tang Yu leading me, we managed to get out.” “Chased? Who were chasing you?” Su Mingyue asked.

“Two from 494, the two advanced war generals.” Yingying answered.

Su Mingyue gathered her brows in worry. She might be naive, but she’s by no means an idiot, especially when it comes to combat, for she had a shocking talent and insight.

“That’s not good! The two of them are very strong, for both of you to escape from them and reach here without trouble, I’m afraid things might not be that simple.” Su Mingyue instinctively felt that something was off.

Tang Yu laughed once: “You’re worrying too much, Mingyue. Even if those two chase us here, shouldn’t we be able to face them together?”

Just as he finished his sentence, a loud laughter came from the forest behind them.

“Ha ha ha! The saintess of Capital is truly outstanding. You managed to figure out our intent so quickly. I can’t wait to see how you and this idiot kid will handle this together!”

The two advanced war generals emerged from the forest and appeared in front of Su Mingyue.

Tang Yu’s face changed instantly, realizing that they hadn’t managed to shake off their pursuers at all. Their target might’ve been Su Mingyue from the beginning.

After a glance at the two advanced war generals, Su Mingyue saw a peak Level 9 Spiritual Mind Master and a peak Level 9 Divine Speedster. It was almost the limit of being a war general. This was a battle she didn’t have confidence in.

If it was one-on-one, Su Mingyue was confident enough that she wouldn’t lose, but Tang Yu? Could he handle one by himself?

She slowly began: “With your elaborate planning, what do you want in the end?”

Saintess Su, I know you.”

One man introduced himself. “Let me introduce myself, my name’s Hua, and I am originally from the Capital Base City. I know a little about the situation there. I know that the God’s Grace Cathedral owns an ancient relic known as the Star-gazing Mirror, which has always been held by the Saintess. It should be in your possession, right?”

Su Mingyue didn’t respond. The teachings of their deity bound her against lying, yet she didn’t want to admit it.

“Heh heh, saintess, there’s no need to deny it. Even if you don’t, we’ll find it once we defeat you. It’s a small mirror which the saintess always carries with her. If I’m not mistaken, it should be with you now, right?”

As he said that, Hua’s gaze fell onto Su Mingyue’s bosom, a sight that was truly mesmerizing.

Su Mingyue’s face turned as he asked: “You want the Star-gazing Mirror?” “Smart, but you only got half of it.”

“There is no way I’m giving you the Star-gazing Mirror. Speak your second condition, I might consider if it’s not too much to ask.”

“Ha ha ha! Then listen to my second condition. Saintess Su, you’re as beautiful as a goddess. You had captivated countless people in Capital when you were only 15 years old. Now your charm has grown even more. My brother and I admire you greatly. I wonder if you wouldn’t mind keeping us company for the night?”

Saintess Su’s face stiffened: “Shameless! Keep dreaming.”

“Since we couldn’t discuss it, let’s not waste words. I want both you and the treasure. Nobody is leaving today. Let’s do it, Lao San!”

The two advanced war generals didn’t say any more. They drew their weapons and charged..