When this news spread, not only did it not lower his reputation within the Family, it actually increased it even more.
The Gu Masters praised him, "As expected of this generation's number one genius, always cultivating diligently, never satisfied with past achievements."
Lin Qingyao and the other three A-grade geniuses felt pressure in their hearts. Some immediately began intense cultivation, while others accepted Family missions to gather resources and practice using Rank 2 Gu.
In the quiet room, Lin Yan sat cross-legged, recovering his essence, Qi, and spirit. His expression was serious. There were specific methods to break through to Rank 2. The aperture wall, which would transform into a crystal membrane, was different from previous barriers like the light membrane, water membrane, or stone membrane, as it possessed a self-repairing nature.
Because of this, the breakthrough to Rank 2 had to be completed in one attempt. It could not be slowly worn down like minor attainments.
Fortunately, Lin Yan clearly understood the key points and had already practiced it many times in his dream training. He could divide his focus, attacking the barrier while absorbing primeval stones to restore his essence.
"Everything is ready, only the final push remains."
He immersed his consciousness into the aperture, controlling the vast dark green primeval sea. Waves surged violently, crashing again and again against the surrounding crystal walls.
Rumble!
Lin Yan worked without rest, neither sleeping nor eating for an entire day and night, and finally succeeded. The primeval sea within his aperture roared continuously, and dense cracks spread across the surface of the white crystal wall. Under the final surge, it shattered completely.
The fragments of the crystal wall turned into countless rays of white light and merged into the bronze-colored primeval sea. The aperture expanded significantly, replaced by a brand new layer of white light membrane, far more radiant than the Rank 1 light membrane.
He had stepped into Rank 2 Initial Stage.
At the bottom of the dark green primeval sea, faint traces of red steel primeval essence began to appear, thick and condensed.
Lin Yan slowly opened his eyes. His aura rose sharply, yet his face was pale. He let out a long breath, almost unable to hold on any longer. He couldn't help but think of Fang Yuan. With only C-grade aptitude, he had endured three days and three nights to break through.
From this day on, Lin Yan had taken the lead. Fang Yuan had needed a full year to reach Rank 2 at Qing Mao Mountain, while he had done it in just seven months.
Lin Yan checked the consumption of primeval stones; only a hundred had been used, which was acceptable.
As he stepped outside, Aunt Liu revealed a joyful smile and said, "Young Master, at not even sixteen, you've already reached the same level as your father and mother. If they could see this, they would surely be at ease."
Hearing this, Lin Yan smiled faintly. How could Rank 2 be his goal? Now that he had surpassed his peers and stepped into Rank 2, his ambition only grew stronger. He wanted to reach Rank 5 as quickly as possible and challenge the path of becoming a Gu Immortal.
Aunt Liu then remembered something and took out a stack of letters. "Oh, right, Young Master, many people came looking for you while you were in seclusion."
Lin Yan took the letters, opened a few, glanced through them, and then put them aside. They were nothing more than invitations from various Gu Master teams, offering different benefits and conditions.
This was normal in the Gu World. From awakening at fifteen, to one year of academy training, and graduating at sixteen, one would officially become an adult. After that, the Family's direct support would end.
From then on, he would need to take on Family missions and earn resources on his own. However, even a Rank 2 Gu Master could not be proficient in all aspects such as offense, movement, reconnaissance, and defense, which was why mission teams came into existence.
Four or five people working together on a mission could not only greatly improve efficiency but also significantly increase safety.
Ordinary D- and C-grade individuals often went unnoticed by such teams and would remain in the academy, shifting toward auxiliary or logistical roles. In contrast, B-grade and A-grade individuals were highly sought after and could even graduate early.
"But choosing this path is the worst option." Lin Yan clearly understood the nature of this system. It was essentially using contribution points to extract value from others. What one gave was always more than what one received, while those at the top of the Family benefited the most.
If he got involved in these repetitive missions, it would only waste time and dull his ambition. He might spend years struggling just to reach Rank 3, or even Rank 4.
Moreover, he was well aware of the conflicts within these mission groups. Competition, suppression, even betrayal were not uncommon. A dead genius was no genius. This was not where his advantage lay; he needed to play to his strengths and avoid unnecessary risks.
Fortunately, Lin Yan had another path. He smiled faintly. Flames rose in his hand and burned all the invitations. He told Aunt Liu to write polite replies to decline them, but two of the invitations were not easy to refuse.
One came from Shan Xia, who had several elite teams under her command. The other came through Shan Shayuan. Although he was already Rank 3 and a pillar of the Family, he still had to speak on behalf of his old teammates.
There was no easy way out. Lin Yan could only delay, using the excuse of breaking through to Rank 2, refining Gu, and becoming familiar with his Gu. Once his strength increased rapidly, others would naturally understand and withdraw.
Lin Yan let out a quiet sigh. Human relationships were like a web, difficult to escape. Once a favor was owed, it would have to be repaid sooner or later. But he had talent. There was no need for him to walk the ruthless Demonic Path.
Geniuses were always given special treatment.