Free Web NovelChapter 57: Chapter 57: Zhao Lan’s Invitation
On the final day of the rest period, Qin Yuheng received an invitation.
Not from the academy.
Not from Lin Xian’er.
From Zhao Lan.
The letter arrived through official academy channels, which meant it could not be ignored as a private provocation. The wording was polite.
Too polite.
Qin Yuheng,
The early-floor resource contest revealed that several young teams in Heavenly Gate Academy have reached a level worthy of broader cooperation.
I will host a small exchange gathering for students active between Floors 1 and 15.
Topics include resource trade, floor information, team cooperation, and combat experience.
Your presence is requested.
— Zhao Lan
Qin Mo read the letter over Qin Yuheng’s shoulder and immediately said, "Trap."
Qin Yuchen took the letter and read it again.
"Not necessarily a physical trap. More likely social testing."
Qin Lian said, "She wants to observe who approaches us."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
"Also to see what resources we are willing to trade, whether we lack anything, and whether I react to pressure outside combat."
Qin Mo frowned.
"Can we refuse?"
"Yes."
"Then refuse."
"If we refuse, she will still gather others and shape the conversation without us."
Qin Mo sighed.
"I miss when enemies only tried to bite us."
Qin Yuheng decided to attend, but not alone.
He brought Qin Yuchen and Qin Lian. Qin Mo refused until Qin Yuheng mentioned that formation materials might be traded there. Then he reluctantly came, claiming he was only attending for "market research."
The gathering was held in an academy pavilion near the lake garden.
It was not large. Around thirty students attended, most from Core or Elite Class, with a few older students from Floors 10 to 15. Wei Chen was present. Lin Xian’er was present. Zhao Tianyu stood near Zhao Lan, his expression controlled but stiff.
Zhao Lan greeted Qin Yuheng with a smile.
"You came."
"You invited me."
"Many people receive invitations they avoid."
"I prefer seeing things directly."
Zhao Lan’s smile deepened slightly.
"Then tonight should be useful."
The gathering began with polite exchanges. Students discussed early floor hazards, resource prices, equipment needs, and team roles. Several minor trades occurred: beast cores for recovery pills, ore materials for talismans, skill fragments for academy merit.
Qin Yuheng did not trade at first.
He observed.
Zhao Lan controlled the room well. She did not dominate loudly, but conversations turned around her naturally. She allowed Zhao Tianyu to speak occasionally but stopped him before he became too aggressive.
Lin Xian’er also moved skillfully, gathering information with smiles and half-promises.
Wei Chen was direct. He traded several defense materials for shield repair components and ignored subtle political probes.
Eventually, Zhao Lan raised a topic everyone cared about.
"Early-floor hidden missions."
The pavilion quieted.
Zhao Lan looked toward Qin Yuheng.
"Your team has completed more hidden objectives than most new teams. Do you believe hidden missions are worth the risk?"
A direct test.
Qin Yuheng answered calmly.
"Only when the team has enough information, retreat options, and preparation."
Zhao Lan smiled.
"So not courage?"
"Courage without preparation is a corpse waiting for a reason."
Wei Chen nodded slightly.
Lin Xian’er hid a smile.
Zhao Tianyu’s face darkened, perhaps remembering several incidents.
Zhao Lan continued, "Would you sell hidden mission information from Floors 1 to 4?"
Qin Yuheng shook his head.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because incomplete information kills people. And complete information would reduce our advantage."
The honesty surprised several students.
Zhao Lan laughed softly.
"Practical."
"Always."
The conversation shifted.
An older student displayed a rare item: a B Grade Blood Reed Pearl, useful for strengthening blood circulation and water resistance. Qin Yuheng inspected it from a distance.
His panel flickered.
[B Grade Blood Reed Pearl]
[Effect: Blood circulation strengthening, mild water resistance.]
[Eligible for Evolution.]
Useful, but not essential.
Then another student presented a C Grade Seal-Stabilizing Stone Fragment.
Qin Yuheng’s gaze stopped.
The item looked ordinary: a gray-white stone fragment with faint golden cracks.
But the panel changed.
[C Grade Seal-Stabilizing Stone Fragment]
[Effect: Low-grade support material for stabilizing minor seal backlash.]
[Compatible with Primordial Seal Wound stabilization at very low efficiency.]
[Eligible for Evolution.]
Compatible.
Very low efficiency.
But eligible for evolution.
Qin Yuheng kept his expression calm.
The student said, "I found this on Floor 6. It is too specialized. I want water-resistance resources or academy merit."
Zhao Lan glanced at Qin Yuheng.
Too sharp.
She had noticed his attention.
Qin Yuheng did not bid immediately.
Lin Xian’er spoke first.
"I can offer merit."
The student looked interested.
Qin Yuheng then said, "I can offer a B Grade Water-Silence Core."
The pavilion became quiet.
A B-grade core for a C-grade fragment? free𝑤ebnovel.com
That was generous.
Zhao Lan smiled.
"Qin Yuheng, do you need seal materials?"
Qin Yuheng answered without hesitation.
"Qin Mo studies formations. Seal fragments are useful."
Qin Mo blinked once, then nodded lazily.
"Yes. I suffer for knowledge."
The explanation worked.
Formation students often collected strange seal materials.
The trade completed.
Qin Yuheng stored the fragment calmly.
Zhao Lan watched him.
She did not expose anything, but her eyes became more interested.
After the gathering ended, Lin Xian’er walked beside Qin Yuheng.
"That fragment mattered to you."
"You also bid."
"To see who else cared."
"And?"
"You cared most."
Qin Yuheng looked at her.
"Information merchants should be careful what they conclude."
Lin Xian’er smiled.
"I conclude only that Zhao Lan noticed too."
Qin Yuheng said nothing.
That night, he returned to the Qin Estate and enhanced the fragment privately.
[C Grade Seal-Stabilizing Stone Fragment]
↓
[A Grade Ancient Seal-Stabilizing Stone]
His panel showed:
[A Grade Ancient Seal-Stabilizing Stone]
[Effect: Stabilizes mid-grade seal backlash, reduces seal turbulence, supports treatment of complex seal wounds.]
[Compatible with Primordial Seal Wound stabilization: moderate efficiency.]
Moderate efficiency.
Qin Yuheng’s eyes brightened.
Another piece.
Not cure.
But another piece.
Blood Sun Hall had begun to move through Zhao channels.
But because they moved, resources connected to seals had entered Qin Yuheng’s reach.
Their test had given him a tool.
That was the danger of underestimating his talent.
Every bait could become his harvest.
