“What?” The long-robed man didn’t dare to believe his ears. He spent so much effort to explain things to this man, yet all he got in return was this answer.

　　This truly made it hard for him to accept.

　　What has all of this got to do with you? Didn’t you hear my earlier words? The more of a genius you are, the more dangerous things would be for you in the Giant Pharmaceutical Company. Do you want to share the same fate as those geniuses who vanished…?

　　The expression of the long-robed man changed. He simply couldn’t guess what was Feng Lin thinking of in his heart.

　　Upon seeing his respected captain repeatedly rejected, Snakeboy couldn’t take it anymore and roared in rage, “Smelly brat, don’t be a fool and not knowing what’s good for you. My captain wants to help you from the goodness of his heart but you…”

　　“Careful!” At this moment, the expression of the long-robed man abruptly changed.

　　“BOOOOM!”

　　As Snakeboy was shouting, he was suddenly silenced at the next moment. A formless fist force blasted through the air, slamming into him.

　　Snakeboy felt as though a giant mountain slammed into his chest. His body was like a sandbag being flung through the air. He then slammed heavily onto the ground as he lay there cowering, whimpering in pain.

　　Given such a close distance, even the long-robed man wasn’t able to react in time. He could only watch as his subordinate was sent flying by a punch.

　　Anger appeared on his face. This Feng Lin was too unreasonable!

　　But when he thought about Feng Lin’s tyrannical strength and his next goal, he could only choose to endure.

　　The lack of forbearance in small matters upsets great plans!

　　The middle-aged long-robed man breathed in deeply. He drew in a breath, another breath, and another breath. He focused his eyes on his nose and calmed himself down. It was as though he didn’t see the scene before him.

　　Feng Lin slowly took back his fist. He stood at his original location without moving, and there was no expression on his face. It was as though the one who punched out earlier wasn’t him and the target that was beaten up was nothing but an annoying fly.

　　Feng Lin’s tone grew grim and his killing intent resurfaced. He warned, “Don’t provoke me again and again. You should know that there’s a limit to my patience. If there’s a next time, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”

　　After that, he coldly spoke to the long-robed man, “I won’t participate in the matters of your Mars Revolutionary Army or join in your resistance against the Giant Pharmaceutical Company and Coalition Government. The idea of your resistance is only one method. I won’t trust anyone. I’ll be in control of my own fate.”

　　Feng Lin’s tone was extremely decisive; there was no leeway to negotiate.

　　He could clearly see that as long as humans existed, there would always be conflict.

　　The internal faction of the Mars Revolutionary Army definitely wasn’t as wonderful as how the long-robed man had painted them.

　　Moreover, Feng Lin was just an outsider from Earth. It was impossible for them to heavily regard him and allow him to become a core member.

　　Wasn’t his situation in the Giant Pharmaceutical Company already a good example?

　　Although he had already entered the core R&D department on the surface, many things were still kept hidden from him.

　　Since that was the case, why must he join the Mars Revolutionary Army?

　　No matter how high-sounding the slogan was, what did that have to do with him? Feng Lin didn’t want to join and become a high-grade cannon fodder!

　　Upon hearing Feng Lin’s warning, the long-robed man was still filled with bewilderment. “Can it be that you are really willing to stay there? You would die without even knowing the reason one day. Joining our revolutionary army is your safest bet!”

　　But sadly, Feng Lin didn’t feel it was so. “Regardless of this matter is true or false, I only have your words for it. I will investigate this myself, so there’s no need for you to worry.”

　　“Why? If you join us, you can gain the help of everyone. It’s definitely much stronger compared to you fighting alone!” The long-robed man didn’t want to give up and earnestly tried his best to persuade Feng Lin.

　　Yet, Feng Lin raised his hand to stop him from continuing. “No need to say anything more. The answer is simple, I don’t trust you guys. It’s useless no matter how much you tell me. I will never join your revolutionary army!”

　　“Wait…” The long-robed man still didn’t want to give up.

　　But given the speed which Feng Lin was walking at, he instantly lengthened the distance between them. It was as though he wasn’t willing to remain here even for a moment longer.

　　The long-robed man didn’t have time to say anything more and could only watch as Feng Lin left.

　　He failed!

　　He couldn’t help but sigh. This time around, he no longer forcibly tried to stop Feng Lin.

　　He had already said what he wanted to say. Since Feng Lin remained unmoved and was determined, it was useless even if he said anything else.

　　However, he still held the hope of a final attempt in his heart. He called out, “If you regret your choice today, you can always contact me. I’m the captain of the Iron Blood Unit from the Mars Revolutionary Army. My name is Luke!”

　　After he spoke, he sent out his contact information via his microchip.

　　Feng Lin’s step didn’t stop and he didn’t reply. It was unknown whether he received the information or not. He rapidly vanished from the long-robed man’s vision, disappearing into the darkness.

　　Luke drew in a deep breath.

　　The recruitment this time had completely failed.

　　It was simply too difficult to use words to convince a hard-hearted human!

　　However, Snakeboy didn’t think so. Upon seeing this monster leaving, the pressure weighing down on his heart was eased and he took joy in Feng Lin’s misfortune as he spoke, “Captain, this brat doesn’t know what is good for him. Our Mars Revolutionary Army regards him highly, but he didn’t know how to cherish us. He is merely a human from Earth that joined the Giant Pharmaceutical Company. In the future, he wouldn’t even know how he dies.”

　　He coldly snorted; his eyes that stared upon Feng Lin’s back was extremely cold. It was like he was looking at a dead man.

　　Earlier, he suffered too much in Feng Lin’s hands. His heart now was completely filled with hatred and jealousy for Feng Lin.

　　“Enough!” Luke berated in a heavy voice.

　　“Captain!” Snakeboy widened his eyes. He didn’t know what he had spoken wrongly to cause the captain to berate him.

　　“Snakeboy, you have always been a genius cultivation apprentice of our Mars Revolutionary Army and are only a step away from becoming an interstellar cultivator. Hence, you have always been arrogant and refuse to submit to others. But you should know that there’s always someone more talented than you, an expert beyond expert, a sky beyond the sky. The interstellar world is so vast with geniuses everywhere. There would always be geniuses whose talent exceeds your imagination. Today, because of your brashness, it almost caused the death of the two of us!” The long-robed man rebuked Snakeboy, his voice extremely grim.

　　Snakeboy was startled. He discovered that this captain of his, who had always been strong and domineering, now had a back drenched with sweat. Could that brat really give so much pressure to the captain?

　　“Today, if it wasn’t for the fact that that man wanted to obtain the ancient martial art—Kunlun Grand Palm Imprint and didn’t really have the heart to kill, I might still be able to flee but you will definitely be buried here! In the future, you have to exercise restraint and try not to stir up trouble anymore. You must know that Feng Lin is merely 17 years old. He is younger than you but has already become a true interstellar cultivator whose combat prowess far exceeds his peers.” The long-robed man coldly admonished Snakeboy. “You also must know that only the victors have the qualifications to evaluate others. No matter how sharp the words of losers are, that’s nothing but useless barking from dogs.”

　　As a genius cultivation apprentice of the Mars Revolutionary Army, when had he ever been given such a strict dressing-down by his captain before?

　　Snakeboy turned red and his heart was filled with reluctance as he mused, “I’m only a step away from becoming an interstellar cultivator. At that time, I might not lose to that brat.”

　　He didn’t dare to oppose the captain he respected. Hence, he shifted all his rage and resentment onto Feng Lin. He spoke with unwillingness, “But there’s also no need to go all out to recruit him. We are regarding him too highly! He is merely an interstellar cultivator. There are plenty of cultivators in our Revolutionary Army; having him or not having him makes no difference at all. Also, he is someone from Earth, completely unworthy of our trust.”

　　“You are wrong.” The long-robed man shook his head. “Although we have many interstellar cultivators, the number of people who can infiltrate the R&D department is simply too little. The R&D department is the core department of the Giant Pharmaceutical Company. We always wanted to stretch our hands into it but has never succeeded. If we could recruit this Feng Lin, it would mean that we have successfully stabbed a thorn in the Giant Pharmaceutical Company’s core. It would prove to be of great help to our organization! Also, his identity as someone from Earth is the best cover for us; the Giant Pharmaceutical Company would never imagine that an Earthling is someone from our Mars Revolutionary Army. After joining us, his safety would be greatly boosted, and his identity would be well hidden. Sadly, he didn’t agree!”

　　Upon speaking up until here, he shook his head and was filled with regrets.

　　He didn’t notice Snakeboy’s disapproving expression. The long-robed man glanced in the direction where Feng Lin had departed. His gaze was serene and extremely deep; it was unknown what he was thinking about. For some unknown reason, a faint smile appeared on his face.

　　Although the recruitment had failed, it didn’t mean that there was no gain at all.

　　He still had the last bit of anticipation in his heart.

　　Not joining the Mars Revolutionary Army was one thing, but they could still temporarily cooperate together for the sake of the same objectives!

　　Is it not so?