During the day, Su Ze would never have dared to ask Ye Jin out to eat.

He only dared to see Ye Jin at night, because he could use the excuse of "going back to sleep" to get away from her.

Fortunately, Miss Ye wasn’t the type to ask someone to stay the night...

’If this actually works out, won’t I lose my only escape route?’ The thought of Ning Yushen summoning him here for a blind date with Ye Jin made Su Ze’s scalp tingle.

Miss Ye quickly replied to Su Ze’s message. She hadn’t eaten either. The high-intensity battle today had left her exhausted, and she had fallen asleep right after getting back. She had just woken up.

So, the two of them agreed to meet at the base entrance.

"Miss Ye," Su Ze waved at Ye Jin, who was approaching from a distance.

Ye Jin was wearing a white T-shirt and a yellow skirt, exuding a fresh, vibrant energy with a hint of innocence. The sight was truly refreshing.

This made Su Ze sigh. ’Miss Ye would be perfect if she just had a better sense of personal boundaries.’

The two went to a barbecue restaurant near the base and ordered a grilled fish and some skewers.

"Miss Ye, have you considered returning to Dongli University for further studies?" Su Ze asked, taking the initiative.

Ye Jin was taken aback for a moment before replying, "But I only just got back to the naval base a short while ago."

Su Ze coaxed her, "Where do you think you can better perfect your ’All Dao Return to One’? Here at the naval base, or at Dongli University?"

The answer to that question was obvious. The scholarly atmosphere of Dongli University was certainly more suitable for research.

After today’s major battle, Ye Jin herself had noticed some shortcomings in her "All Dao Converge into One Stream" and was eager to find a solution.

Su Ze continued, "Many heads are better than one. Here, you’re researching all by yourself. But it’s different at Dongli University. The nation’s top evolutionists are all gathered there. You can get their help."

Ye Jin nodded repeatedly, thinking Su Ze’s words made a lot of sense. But she was troubled. "But my official post has already been transferred to the naval base, and I’ve already received my graduation certificate. In what capacity would I return to Dongli University?"

"That’s simple!" Su Ze said. "Just go back to Dongli University and pursue a master’s degree in evolution. Your research topic is ready-made—your current ’All Dao Return to One’ stream. If you succeed with this research, wouldn’t Dongli University just award you a doctorate directly?"

"If that doesn’t work, you can just test into the combat department’s master class. With your current strength, Miss Ye, it would be no problem at all. Then you could even join me for the six-nation exchange tournament between the top academies!

"Anyway, as long as you want to go back to Dongli University, there’s always a way. As for the procedures and paperwork, if you just mention it to Mr. Ning, wouldn’t that be a trivial matter?"

Ye Jin was tempted. "I’ll go back and think about it," she said.

Hearing this, Su Ze knew there was about an eighty percent chance of it happening. ’If Principal Zhou Wenshan finds out, he’ll definitely be grateful that I’ve recruited another talent for the university.’

Of course, Su Ze wasn’t just persuading Ye Jin to return to Dongli University for his own amusement.

Firstly, he truly believed Ye Jin’s "All Dao Return to One" had potential. Actual combat had proven that the system had its merits. Once it matured, it would be worth promoting.

Secondly, Su Ze was already planning to devote some of his energy to evolutionary research after this trip. Ye Jin was, after all, a top student from Dongli University’s evolution department. Winning her over would be a significant help.

Of course, her status was also very important. Research burns through a lot of money. Bringing Ye Jin in could at least solve a large part of their research funding problems.

Between Liou Wenxin’s "mutation"-related project and Ye Jin’s "All Dao Return to One," a breakthrough in either one would absolutely be a heavyweight research achievement capable of shaking the Sovereign Countries.

Su Ze could just tag along, play a replaceable role in the research process, and get his name on the paper when it was published. If the Sovereign Country handed out a reward, his share would be more than enough to live comfortably.

After finishing the barbecue, Su Ze said he had to go back to sleep and successfully parted ways with Ye Jin.

Before they left, they agreed to go see Ning Yushen together the next morning.

Su Ze returned to his quarters. Having slept for a long time earlier, he wasn’t tired at all, so he practiced the Swan Dance in his room all night.

He would be getting the Mutated Electric Eel Extract tomorrow. Barring any surprises, it would be the next extract Su Ze absorbed. Therefore, he now planned to speed up the digestion of the Gravity Demon Extract in his body, striving to absorb his second Cocoon Stage extract as soon as possible.

「...」

The next morning, Su Ze went to the cafeteria for breakfast, then contacted Ye Jin. The two of them arrived outside Ning Yushen’s office together.

When Jia Yuan saw Ye Jin, he looked a little troubled, but still said, "Jin, the General wants you to wait outside for a bit. She has something to discuss with Su Ze alone."

"Okay, Mr. Jia. You must have a lot to do today, right?" Ye Jin asked.

Jia Yuan was indeed very busy today. After yesterday’s big battle, there were many matters that required his attention. But he thought, ’If I say I’m busy, Ye Jin will definitely offer to help.’

So, he smiled and said, "Not busy."

"Oh, is that so? That’s great!" Ye Jin said happily. "Last night, I had some new ideas about my combat style, and I happen to need a powerful and experienced senior to give me some guidance and advice. Mr. Jia, I’m counting on you!"

Jia Yuan froze, then could only bite the bullet and agree.

Su Ze shot Jia Yuan a sympathetic glance before walking into Ning Yushen’s office.

As soon as he entered, Su Ze saw the woman working at the desk. Her powerful aura made him feel like a soldier awaiting a general’s inspection, and he couldn’t help but straighten his back.

Although Ning Yushen was over a hundred years old, she looked to be in her forties. Still graceful and attractive, one could tell from her features that she must have been a great beauty in her youth. Ye Jin had inherited her looks from Ning Yushen.

"You’re here. Sit," Ning Yushen said without looking up, still writing something with a pen.

Su Ze took a deep breath and sat down properly in the chair across from Ning Yushen.

When Ning Yushen finished her work, she put down her pen, looked up at Su Ze, and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad," she smiled.

As soon as she spoke, Su Ze suddenly felt his whole body relax, the tense, rigid feeling fading away.

"Even the most elite soldiers in the unit can’t sit down so calmly under the pressure of my aura. You’re not bad, kid. Very bold. Only the bold can be successful!" Ning Yushen praised.

Su Ze put on a simple and honest expression. "I grew up hearing legends about Mrs. Ning. You’ve always been the person I admire most. Seeing you in person, I only feel a sense of warmth."

Ning Yushen laughed heartily. "Thick-skinned enough. Not bad. Bold and thick-skinned. As long as you don’t get yourself killed, you’re bound for greatness."

Su Ze’s expression didn’t change. "You praise me too much."

"Next time you call me ’Grandma,’ leave off the surname. It sounds like you’re cursing me."

"Yes, Grandma."

Ning Yushen opened a small refrigerator to the side and asked, "What would you like to drink?"

Su Ze glanced over. The fridge was filled with soft drinks.

"Orange juice, please," Su Ze said.

Ning Yushen casually tossed a bottle of orange juice to Su Ze, then grabbed a bottle of cola for herself and took a long swig. GULP, GULP.

Su Ze found this novel. The Saint-level experts he had met, like Gu Chengguang and Zhou Wenshan, all drank tea. Ning Yushen was certainly different.

Ning Yushen said nonchalantly, "It’s my only little vice. I don’t drink tea or alcohol, I just love sugary water."

Su Ze made a mental note. ’Next time I visit, I should just bring some tasty and uncommon soft drinks.’

"Alright, let’s talk about what you’re interested in," Ning Yushen said, sitting down again. "Jin told me that you already gave her the Deep Sea Electric Eel Extract. In exchange, you can have this Mutated Electric Eel Extract."

Ning Yushen swiped a wooden bracelet on her wrist, and a vial shining with an intense yellow light of evolution appeared in her hand.

"Thank you, Grandma." Su Ze quickly accepted the extract and stored it directly in his pendant’s space.

Ning Yushen glanced at the pendant on Su Ze’s chest. "That extract was just a trade. Since this is our first meeting and you’ve called me Grandma, I can’t be stingy. Take this as my first-meeting gift to you."

As she spoke, she took out another item and placed it heavily on the desk with a CLANG.

Su Ze looked at the half-"brick" in front of him and blinked. ’A half-brick as a first-meeting gift?’

Ning Yushen said, "This is a coral stone formed by Tier Three Coral Insects. It’s an extremely rare natural medicine. If you grind it into a powder, mix it with water, and drink it, it can increase your bone density and make your bones harder. It’s most suitable for a Cocoon Stage evolver like you."

"Thank you, Grandma." Su Ze reached out and stored the "brick" in his pendant’s space.

Ning Yushen nodded. "That’s just a personal gift from me. You performed outstandingly in the defense of Luohui Beach yesterday. Jia Yuan has already told me everything you did. We in Dongli have always been clear about rewards and punishments. Contributions must be rewarded!

"I’ve already reported your merits. The rewards will be issued in a day or two at most. You’ll get the contribution points you’re owed and the promotion you deserve. Just wait patiently."

Su Ze’s heart skipped a beat. ’From the sound of it, I’m getting a promotion!’

Su Ze didn’t care about the position itself; he cared about the increased privileges that came with a promotion. It meant he could redeem more treasures from the Dongli National Treasury.

A promotion was to be expected. After all, he had contributed a great deal to yesterday’s defensive battle. He had lost count of how many beasts he had killed.

Ning Yushen took another sip of her cola and said, "Alright, the trivial matters are dealt with. Let’s talk business."

’So all that stuff you just talked about wasn’t business?’

’Then what is?’

’Could it be...’

Ning Yushen quickly gave Su Ze his answer. "You’ve probably heard why I called you here. You’ve spent some time with Jin. What do you think of her?"

’I knew it was about this.’ 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

’This is a disaster!’

Su Ze could only play dumb. "Miss Ye is great in every way. She’s good to me, too. She treats me like her own little brother."

Ning Yushen sneered, "So you’re saying you don’t think Jin is good enough for you?"