"You're finally here," Thirteen said as he approached the trio.

"Hold up! Keep your distance," Glasses Bro quickly called out to Thirteen. "Just talk from there. I just got out of the hospital—I don't wanna go back."

"We're teammates on the same squad, yet you discriminate like this? It really hurts my heart," Thirteen said with a sorrowful expression.

"Uh, that's not what I meant..." Glasses Bro realized his words had come out wrong.

"You actually believed that?" Lin Jie remarked to Glasses Bro. "Thirteen's been around for years. If he took things that seriously, he'd have offed himself long ago."

"Tch!" Thirteen scoffed. "You're no fun to fool. But you're wrong about one thing—I used to get hurt when people said that. Then I'd stalk them. And that made me happy."

"What kind of creepy curse is that!" Xiao Zhan and Glasses Bro both shuddered. Last time, Thirteen stalked an organization of thousands. Only a handful survived—and they were all in prison.

"You all seem lively," Winter Xueer said as she entered, followed by a group of muscular men.

As she passed Lin Jie, she whispered softly in his ear, "If you dare tell anyone what you said that day, I'll make you a eunuch."

Then she breezed into the hall like a spring breeze.

Lin Jie felt a distinct chill below his belt.

Once the hall was nearly full, a silver-haired handsome man stepped to the front.

"Hello everyone. I'm the new president of H City, Winter Yang. From now on, I'll be leading the Hero Association here..."

The rest of his speech was mostly official formalities.

...

After the meeting, Lin Jie's team rarely gathered together. Staring at the brand-new Zero statue in the hall, Lin Jie mused inwardly, "It doesn't look as cool as I did back then."

Just then, they spotted Winter Xueer and Winter Yang walking over while chatting.

"So you're the squad that helped Xueer defeat Ouyang Rui," Winter Yang said, looking at Lin Jie and the others. "My sister owes you a great debt."

"No problem! Happy to help!" Xiao Zhan replied eagerly.

"You must be Lin Jie," Winter Yang smiled. "Quite an interesting fellow. I heard you took down two A Rank Heroes alone. How about joining the Dong Family?"

"Not interested," Lin Jie answered flatly.

"What a shame. But let me warn you—some powers aren't easily offended. Without special circumstances, you'd already be dead." Winter Yang smiled faintly. "Of course, if you pledge loyalty to us, we'd gladly protect you."

"Not interested. Anyone who wants me dead can try," Lin Jie said.

"You're confident in your strength," Winter Yang said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"At least stronger than yours," Lin Jie shot back. "You talk like you're neither fish nor fowl."

"Hmph!" Winter Yang snorted coldly. Winter Xueer moved to stop him, but it was too late.

An overwhelming aura exploded from him—a presence that dominated heaven and earth. He loomed like a mighty Deity gazing down at ants.

"Oh? Is this the legendary 'turtle king aura'?" Lin Jie raised an eyebrow.

Beside him, Xiao Zhan and the other two instantly dropped to their knees under the pressure.

"Don't get cocky just because you have some skill," Winter Yang said coldly, then turned to Lin Jie. But the latter stood unaffected, as if nothing happened.

"Is this your 'turtle king aura' spam? Should I kowtow now?" Lin Jie said. "Too bad—I've seen too many 'turtle king auras.' Yours isn't even the strongest."

...

Winter Yang fell silent. His aura surged again, intensifying until nearby statues trembled violently.

Still, Lin Jie stood firm, even picking his nose casually.

...

Winter Yang's face flushed red. Everyone around him had collapsed except Lin Jie. Cracks spread under his feet from the pressure, yet Lin Jie—bearing the brunt of it—remained unchanged.

"Are you done yet? We have things to do," Lin Jie yawned. "I've got plans."

Though he said this, Winter Yang kept releasing his "turtle king aura," face crimson, body rigid.

Lin Jie sighed inwardly. "He's really stubborn with this aura nonsense."

Then, an aura formed around Lin Jie. Unlike Winter Yang's lofty, godlike dominance, Lin Jie's felt like a battle-scarred warrior—defying heaven and earth, slaying gods and buddhas alike. His killing intent easily shattered Winter Yang's mental pressure.

Winter Yang shuddered, cold sweat breaking out. In that instant, he felt like a mouse in a cat's jaws—easily crushed with a snap.

Just as quickly, everything calmed. Winter Yang hadn't even noticed his aura instinctively retreating into himself.

"Truly strong," Winter Yang gritted out. "No wonder Xueer admires you. I was just testing your strength."

His blush hadn't fully faded. His body still trembled slightly. What battles could forge such killing intent? He didn't know. But one thing was clear—he'd just been slapped in the face.

They'd come to subdue Lin Jie, H City's strongest Hero. If they couldn't recruit him, a warning would keep him from disrupting their plans.

Reality? Not only had he failed to intimidate Lin Jie—he'd been terrified by the other's aura.

"We're leaving," Lin Jie said, leading his team out of the Hero Association.

"Why were you so blunt today? He's Winter Xueer's brother—and the Association president," Glasses Bro said to Lin Jie.

"Honestly? I instinctively hate people who act superior. I've met plenty—they're all power-hungry control freaks," Lin Jie scratched his head. "So I can't help but push back. Call it habit."

...

"By the way, what was he even doing?" Xiao Zhan asked. "I'm a grown man, yet I knelt to him."

"Nothing special. That ability's called a 'suck-up aura.' I've seen it before—it makes people act like fools and pledge loyalty," Lin Jie replied.

"We should study that!" Xiao Zhan exclaimed. "Imagine making enemies kneel without lifting a finger. So efficient!"

Unnoticed, Thirteen seemed lost in thought.

...

Meanwhile, at the Hero Association.

"Stronger than I expected," Winter Yang said to Winter Xueer. "Prepare yourself. The Ouyang Family will come for you soon."

"I know. The clan already notified me," Winter Xueer replied.

"Good. Don't rely on Lin Jie—he'll die too," Winter Yang said. "And don't think of running. You can't escape Sector C."

"I won't tell them. I'll obey the clan's orders," Winter Xueer said.

"That's best. If you harm the family's interests again, I won't hesitate to eliminate you myself," Winter Yang said.

"I won't. The past incidents were my doing. Leave others out of it," Winter Xueer said.

"As long as you cooperate, they'll be safe. Provided they don't cause trouble," Winter Yang said. "After all, they're useful."

"Don't worry. I won't tell them about this," Winter Xueer said.

"Good. Otherwise, I'll replace H City's Heroes," Winter Yang said.

"What do you see Heroes as?" Winter Xueer asked, puzzled.

"Useful pawns or useless trash," Winter Yang replied flatly.

"Don't touch them. Or you'll regret it," Winter Xueer said.

She left the Hero Association.

Unseen by her, Winter Yang's hands trembled slightly. "Why can't I shake this feeling?"

Lin Jie's aura had only brushed him for a second, yet visions of his own death haunted his mind.

"That guy... dangerous," Winter Yang muttered finally. "After this ends, he dies first. No one insults my dignity and lives."

...

"Thirteen, come with me later," Lin Jie said.

"What for?" Thirteen asked.

"My allowance got cut by my sister. Time to earn some side cash," Lin Jie said.

"You're sure about teaming up with me?" Thirteen looked surprised.

"I've got a foolproof plan. With your power, we'll make a fortune," Lin Jie said.

"I'm out!" Glasses Bro said, sensing trouble. He stood up and left immediately.

Xiao Zhan tried to slip away too, but Lin Jie grabbed him.

"Don't go. We can't do it short one person," Lin Jie told Xiao Zhan.