Zhao Qinghan, tall and graceful, wore a fitted white dress that accentuated her figure, her long legs elegantly displayed. The night breeze stirred her smooth black hair, and her fair, oval face was beautiful—usually sweet and smiling, but now her smile was frozen.

The atmosphere fell silent, everyone still. Even someone as composed and emotionally intelligent as Zhao Qinghan was caught in a moment of silence, making the situation feel even more unusual.

Wang Xuan turned to face her, surprised by her sudden appearance. The backdrop of red maple trees on the mountain and the shimmering city lights below created a serene beauty around them.

"You're late; take a drink as punishment," Wang Xuan said, his calmness unexpected, raising his glass to Zhao Qinghan with a smile.

Although Zhao Qinghan was usually confident and experienced, she felt a moment of tension. She instinctively raised her wine glass but quickly regained her composure, smiling brightly again. However, she didn't speak or clink glasses with Wang Xuan, wanting to gauge his response.

At that moment, Qin Cheng spoke up, "Qinghan, don't misunderstand; Wang Xuan is reliable. I was just too hasty!"

Wang Xuan felt a wave of frustration at Qin Cheng's interruption. The best way to handle the situation was to move past it, which was why he had kept his demeanor unchanged.

Zhao Qinghan remained silent, gently clinking her glass with Wang Xuan's before lightly wetting her lips with the wine and turning to leave, leaving behind an elegant silhouette.

"Did I say something wrong?" Qin Cheng asked, realizing he had made things worse.

Wang Xuan patted his shoulder. "You didn't say anything wrong. Look, you sent her away without any awkwardness."

Qin Cheng sighed, "No, I actually wanted to talk to her privately over a drink, and now she's gone. Who do I go to now?"

"Just go after her; she hasn't left yet," Kong Yi suggested, pulling Wang Xuan away to the edge of the mountain, where they could overlook the twinkling lights below.

"Someone's trying to help you, wanting to take you to New Star," Kong Yi said, resting his hands on the railing.

Wang Xuan already knew that Professor Lin had approached potential investors. Still, he sensed Kong Yi had more to say and turned to look at him.

"The person in charge of the old technique research has taken notice of you. Although your situation doesn't meet the selection criteria, your performance in the old techniques has been remarkable, so they want to make an exception."

It turned out there was more to the story; Kong Yi had sought him out to discuss something important.

"Ling Wei's family intervened, wanting to keep you suppressed in Old Earth and prevent you from going to New Star."

These words hit Wang Xuan like thunder, sobering him instantly, and his gaze sharpened as he fixed it on Kong Yi.

Kong Yi, always assertive, met his gaze head-on. "If you don't believe me, you can find someone to verify it. There will definitely be traces left behind. Since I know about it, others must too."

"Why tell me this?" Wang Xuan asked.

Kong Yi replied sternly, "I'm worried you'll hear bits and pieces and blame me for it. I won't take that blame!" He added quietly before leaving, "Ling Wei's family is more powerful and influential than you think."

Watching Kong Yi's figure disappear into the villa lights, Wang Xuan remained still, turning again to gaze at the dazzling city below.

"Have I been too naive about people?" he murmured.

Earlier, Qin Cheng had speculated that perhaps his ex-girlfriend's family was behind the suppression, and Wang Xuan had dismissed the idea. He had interacted with Ling Wei's father, who had approached him with pressure.

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During their first meeting, Ling Qiming had been stern but also showed the concern of a father worried about his daughter choosing the wrong partner. Although Wang Xuan felt scrutinized, he hadn't taken offense.

He understood that if he had a daughter in a foreign land with a boyfriend, he would likely feel worried enough to intervene. Despite Ling Qiming's imposing presence, he hadn't used his connections against Wang Xuan, leading Wang Xuan to view him in a somewhat positive light.

Wang Xuan preferred not to assume malice in others, often putting himself in their shoes. He believed it was a strong father's protective instinct, albeit excessive, but still understandable.

Now, however, he felt he had misjudged certain people and situations.

He shook his head, exhaling deeply, deciding not to dwell on what had happened. He needed to look forward.

"Wang Xuan, come over here!" Zhou Kun called him to join in a drink.

Wang Xuan's expression shifted; he knew Zhou Kun would lose himself in drink and become talkative.

"I told you when I came to find you, I wanted to have a good chat tonight," Zhou Kun insisted.

Nearby, Su Chan and Xu Wenbo exchanged glances; Zhou Kun was about to spill secrets, and once drunk, he would answer any question.

"Is he doing this on purpose?" Li Qingzhu murmured.

Su Chan shrugged. "Let him; the new techniques aren't a secret anymore. They'll reach Old Earth soon enough."

Wang Xuan understood that Zhou Kun was using his drunken state to share information.

At that moment, Qin Cheng approached with a beaming face. "I just had a drink with the goddess; she said she'd come visit me on the moon! Oh, and she asked about your progress in old techniques. I told her you're about equivalent to 9.8 of Kong Yi, 12.5 of Zhou Kun, and 11.6 of Xu Wenbo."

Zhou Kun, who was about to indulge, reacted immediately, "Qin Cheng, how can you compare like that?"

Kong Yi joined in, displeased, "Do you even know how to talk?"

Even the usually composed Xu Wenbo couldn't hold back, his mouth twitching, "Qin Cheng, do you really compare people like this? Have I become a measuring unit?"

"I was just saying it casually. Drinking, why do men care so much?" Qin Cheng pulled Zhou Kun closer. "I love drinking with you; come on, let's down a glass!"

Zhou Kun shot him a sideways glance, realizing Qin Cheng's intention was to get him drunk for secrets and not noticing he was really trying to share information with Wang Xuan.

Wang Xuan quickly intervened, worried that Qin Cheng would get Zhou Kun completely inebriated. "Take it easy."

Qin Cheng was puzzled; Zhou Kun began to loosen up after half a glass of wine.

"I'll tell you, there's a new technique emerging in New Star, also called super techniques, and some even prefer to call it divine techniques…"

"Zhou Kun, you're quite bold, casually speaking about this. Some of this is still under wraps; are you sure you should be saying this?"

A sudden voice broke through as someone approached rapidly.

It was a young man with short hair, athletic build, standing about six feet tall, with sharp, piercing eyes.

"Yun Ge, I'm drunk. I'll be more careful next time," Zhou Kun said, sobering slightly but clearly knowing the man.

This newcomer was a few years older than Zhou Kun and the others, with a sun-kissed complexion. He was quite imposing, his tone blunt as he glared at Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng. "You really dare to ask Zhou Kun questions about the techniques, trying to get secrets from him?"

Zhou Kun quickly stepped in front of him. "Yun Ge, this is just a gathering of classmates. If you want to drink, go to a room!"

Kong Yi and Xu Wenbo immediately came over to block his way, urging him not to escalate things.

"Who do you think you are, talking like that? Did you take crazy pills?!" Qin Cheng wasn't backing down, confronting him directly.

Seeing Su Chan and Li Qingzhu also approach, Yun Ge smiled. "What's with the tension? Am I really that unreasonable?"

Zhao Qinghan stepped in, saying, "Yun Ge, I know why you're here. Please don't be like this."

Yun Ge chuckled. "I'm not here to cause trouble today. I just heard someone here is practicing old techniques well and wanted to spar a bit."

"Wang Xuan, aren't you curious about the new techniques? Come, let's spar. I'll demonstrate!" The man known as Yun Ge made this surprising offer.

At that moment, not just the students from Old Earth but also those from New Star were taken aback; he had actually… mastered the new techniques?!

Wang Xuan remained calm. He had noticed that this person arrived on a small airship, parked not far from two hovering discs.

As soon as he appeared, he had walked straight toward them, and now he was directly calling Wang Xuan's name.

"Just a simple spar; do you dare to face off? Do you have confidence that old techniques can shine anew?" Yun Ge asked again.

Wang Xuan studied his face, lost in thought.

In the past, he would have likely ignored a random challenge, uninterested.

However, the current situation intrigued him; this young man had already mastered the so-called new techniques, and Wang Xuan wanted to see what this new path entailed!

"The new techniques, also referred to as super techniques, and some prefer to call them divine techniques."

The imposing young man continued, "Old techniques are on the verge of being officially phased out in New Star. Some are even starting to refer to them as outdated techniques."

He beckoned to Wang Xuan, "Do you want to prove something? Let's see if the old techniques can still shine anew."