The rooftop of Binhai Hotel.
Rather than calling it a rooftop, it was more like a luxurious open-air entertainment venue.
A stunning infinity pool with crystal blue water.
Lights embedded in the pool bottom made the ripples shimmer like a flowing galaxy.
Comfortable lounge chairs and sofas were arranged around the perimeter.
At the central barbecue grill, fresh seafood sizzled and emitted mouthwatering aromas.
Liu Ziming spread his arms wide: "So? Does my Liu family know how to make an impression or what?"
Su Zhan walked to the railing: "It's definitely a great place to relax."
"Of course it is!"
A waiter immediately approached with a tray laden with alcoholic drinks and chilled beverages: "Eat, drink, and enjoy to your heart's content—it's all on me!"
Xu Hao applauded generously: "Such generosity, Young Master Liu!"
Wang Mingyuan sat on a sofa, leisurely sipping tea as he smiled: "You all enjoy yourselves. I'm fine just watching."
"Professor Wang, don't be like that!"
Liu Ziming immediately approached: "This is a victory celebration! You need to join the fun!"
Wang Mingyuan waved his hand with a smile.
Xie Xi picked up a skewer of grilled lobster tail and took a bite, her eyes slightly brightening: "The flavor is quite good."
"Of course!"
Liu Ziming immediately declared: "This is the work of our hotel's specially hired Michelin chef! Let me tell you..."
"Michelin chef?"
Su Zhan slightly frowned: "The Mist invasion happened 300 years ago. How do you still have a Michelin chef..."
"Who said the absence of external communication means it disappeared?"
Liu Ziming explained: "Though Michelin chefs originated from abroad, they exist in Daxia too."
Su Zhan nodded.
But in his heart, he contemplated.
The three words "Michelin."
Once represented the world's highest culinary standard.
Relying on the authority of global chains to endorse restaurants.
But in the three hundred years since the Mist invasion, the world had long been shattered, with connections between nations almost completely severed.
Without headquarters certification.
Without globally unified evaluation standards.
How much actual value did the Michelin title still retain?
Not just that.
Many products from the foreign old era still remained in Daxia.
As if people could only understand the world before the Mist invasion through film works and these remnants.
"What? Don't believe me?"
Liu Ziming patted his shoulder: "You'll know once you taste it—it absolutely lives up to the name!"
Su Zhan smiled faintly: "Alright, I'll look forward to it."
"Brother Su."
Liu Ziming pointed at the infinity pool: "Want to spar later? Just a couple moves in the pool?"
Su Zhan shook his head with a smile: "We all need to recover from our injuries now. There's no need to compete for victory."
"Then how about something more relaxed?"
Liu Ziming snapped his fingers: "Let's get this pool party started!"
The next moment.
The lights around the pool transformed into dazzling colorful patterns,
Music began to play.
Waiters moved through the crowd carrying various drinks and snacks, the atmosphere instantly becoming lively.
Xie Xi sat on a lounge chair by the pool, holding a glass of iced juice, watching Liu Ziming flit around like a social butterfly greeting everyone.
"Hey! Xu Hao! Don't just stand there—get in the water!"
Liu Ziming had already changed into swim trunks and stood poolside, eager to begin.
"Coming."
Xu Hao had also changed into swim trunks, testing the water temperature with his hand before slowly descending via the ladder.
"Don't be scared!"
Liu Ziming dove headfirst into the water, splashing large waves that happened to drench Feng Jue who was passing by.
Feng Jue wiped his face expressionlessly, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Liu Ziming surfaced from the water and immediately froze: "Uh... Brother Feng, that wasn't intentional..."
The next second.
Feng Jue jumped into the pool fully clothed, pressing Liu Ziming's head down into the water.
"Help! Murder!"
Liu Ziming flailed about exaggeratedly, creating huge splashes.
Su Zhan sat by the poolside, smiling as he watched their playful fighting.
Wang Mingyuan sat under a sun umbrella, sipping tea while shaking his head: "Young people..."
After a while.
Wang Mingyuan's phone suddenly vibrated.
He glanced at the caller ID, raised an eyebrow slightly, then stood up and walked to a quieter area further away.
"Dean Li, good evening."
Dean Li's gentle voice came through the phone: "Professor Wang, I hope I'm not interrupting your celebration?"
"Not at all, the students are just relaxing."
Wang Mingyuan watched the playful crowd in the pool, a smile on his lips: "What can I do for you?"
"It's like this..."
Dean Li's voice turned serious: "Regarding after the team competition, I want to add a special exchange activity, which I believe I mentioned to you before.
I need to discuss the details with you in person. Would it be convenient for you to come to my office now?"
"Dean Li."
Wang Mingyuan's expression darkened, his voice turning serious: "With all due respect, Aberrant activity has been rampant lately, and the Transcendence Cult has been secretly hunting human geniuses.
Given your position and status, you should understand this better than anyone."
Wang Mingyuan glanced back at the playing students: "Moreover, my students are all quite weakened right now. I cannot leave their side."
The phone fell silent for a moment.
Then came Dean Li's hearty laughter: "Professor Wang, you're being very thorough.
Indeed, although Lan City has been cracking down hard on Aberrants these past years and I believe they can't cause much trouble, caution preserves a long life.
How about this—I'll come to your location now.
I'd actually like to see how the young people are celebrating."
"This..."
Wang Mingyuan hesitated slightly.
"What? Not welcoming an old man like me?"
Dean Li pretended to be stern.
"Of course not."
Wang Mingyuan quickly said: "Please let me know when you're about to arrive, and I'll personally come down to receive you."
Hanging up the phone, he walked back to the poolside.
Liu Ziming was being held underwater by Xie Xi and Feng Jue working together, flailing about.
Su Zhan sat by the pool, smiling as he watched the spectacle.
"Su Zhan."
Wang Mingyuan called out.
Su Zhan turned: "Professor Wang?"
"Dean Li needs to discuss something with me. I need to go receive him shortly. Continue enjoying yourselves, but be mindful of limits."
Wang Mingyuan adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "Especially regarding your injuries—don't overdo it."
"Understood."
Su Zhan nodded.
Liu Ziming surfaced from the water, shaking his wet hair: "Professor Wang, don't worry! I'll keep an eye on them!"
Xie Xi pushed him back under: "You're the one who needs the most watching."
Wang Mingyuan shook his head helplessly.
After about ten more minutes.
The phone rang again.
Wang Mingyuan answered the call and headed downstairs.
Su Zhan watched his retreating back, his eyes narrowing slightly.
As awakeners.
They had naturally heard Wang Mingyuan's conversation.
After all, Wang Mingyuan hadn't made any effort to hide it from them.
The next moment.
Su Zhan's phone rang.
He opened it to see a message from Wang Mingyuan.
[If anything happens, send a message immediately.]
Su Zhan typed quickly.
[Okay.]
Although the short time Wang Mingyuan would be downstairs meant nothing should happen.
And even if something did occur, Wang Mingyuan's proximity meant he could quickly return here.
Still.
Being cautious never hurt.