"Dharma Protector?" Feng Lin was taken aback. What did this mean? "Exactly! If you become my Dharma Protector, you can return to the interstellar main family with me!" Feng Shaoyou nodded with a smile, looking as if Feng Lin had hit the jackpot. "As your Dharma Protector, what responsibilities and obligations would I have to take on?" Feng Lin didn't lose his cool, asking calmly. There's no such thing as a free lunch. This Feng Shaoyou had no connection to him and wouldn't be so kind without some self-interest. The term "Dharma Protector" sounded like being someone's subordinate. Feng Lin had to get to the bottom of it; otherwise, he might be sold out without even realizing it. Seeing that Feng Lin hadn't lost his head over this sudden windfall, Feng Shaoyou's gaze grew more appreciative. "The term 'Dharma Protector' comes from ancient cultivation texts, and the duty is simple. The interstellar realm is vast and dangerous—not only are there terrifying alien races, but humanity itself is fraught with internal conflicts, far from peaceful. For a cultivator to grow is extremely difficult, with the risk of falling at any moment. That's why promising cultivators seek out their own Dharma Protectors, who possess combat power far beyond their peers. And once the cultivator matures, they also elevate their Protector—it's a mutually beneficial relationship!" With that, Feng Shaoyou smiled at Feng Lin, as if envisioning him ecstatically agreeing. What Dharma Protector? It was just being someone's enforcer. Feng Lin sneered inwardly. What was the point of such a role? "As Heaven moves with vigor, the noble strives for self-improvement. Sorry, but if I want to go interstellar, I'll get into the Interstellar University on my own. Becoming someone's subordinate—I'll never do that!" Feng Lin refused decisively. "You're turning this down?" Feng Shaoyou's smile quickly faded, his expression turning cold and grim, no longer able to force a laugh. An icy aura emanated from him, thickening the air. But Feng Lin remained unfazed, his gaze calm as he met the other's eyes. "Do you realize what opportunity you're missing?" After a tense silence, Feng Shaoyou spoke coldly, his eyes filled with irritation at this "ungrateful" person. Opportunity? Feng Lin's lips curled into a sneer. Only what he fought for through his own efforts was his opportunity; he scorned anything handed to him by others! "The Solar System is the most backward star region in interstellar cultivation—even the Bermuda, Caribbean, and Mediterranean star regions, chaotic dens of pirates, are better! That's because the Solar System's spiritual matter was exhausted by ancient cultivation civilizations, relying entirely on interstellar supplies for resources. Becoming an elite cultivator here is the limit; there's no room to rise further! It's like monkeys ruling when the tiger's away. If you want a broader future, you have to go interstellar. As a member of the Feng family's branch, returning to the interstellar main family is your greatest hope, and only I can help you..." Feng Shaoyou's tone was icy and stiff. Seeing him ramble on, Feng Lin shook his head and cut him off. "Don't worry about that! What's mine won't be missing, and I won't take a single thing given by others! I'll enter the interstellar realm through my own effort and strength!" He said this firmly. If becoming an interstellar cultivator meant losing self-reliance, what was the point of cultivation? Feng Lin had always relied on himself; when had he ever depended on others? Not in the past, not now, and certainly not in the future! The essence of cultivation was to constantly break through life's shackles and the chains of fate. Once you relied on others, losing your autonomy and freedom, becoming their subordinate, what meaning did cultivation hold? In the myths, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven rebelled against the Heavenly Court, daring to overthrow even the celestial immortals and buddhas! Feng Lin walked the path of Sun Wukong's myth, embodying the indomitable will of the Great Sage; he would never make such a choice, or it would disgrace that very path! "So, you truly refuse to be my Dharma Protector?" Feng Shaoyou's gaze pierced like a sword, pressing down on him, a dangerous aura rising. Seeing him still so self-satisfied, as if refusing him meant missing a great opportunity, Feng Lin chuckled inwardly, more certain than ever that his choice was spot-on. Not only would Feng Lin never be anyone's subordinate, but even if someone were willing, Feng Shaoyou's narrow-mindedness made him a poor master to follow. "Exactly! As a cultivator, one must rely on their own efforts—how can you beg from others? Drop the Dharma Protector talk! I'll never agree." To prevent further pestering, Feng Lin stated unequivocally, leaving no room for negotiation. Boom! Feng Shaoyou's face flushed with anger, and he stopped holding back. A surge of immense life force erupted from within him, solidifying like a mountain crashing down, aiming to crush this defiant man. Soft tactics failing, now for the hard approach? Feng Lin sneered, unafraid, meeting it head-on. He had to admit, this life force was powerful—the strongest he'd ever encountered, on par with the Giant Pharmaceuticals' artificial god, Titan. It confirmed his earlier judgment: Feng Shaoyou was indeed an elite cultivator. No wonder the main family produced such strong members! But if this guy thought he could make him yield with sheer pressure, he was too naive! Feng Lin had been through it all—the Martian civil war, battles with Giant Pharmaceuticals... what hadn't he seen? He'd even fought the Titan, a genetically engineered artificial god whose combat prowess might not top the elite ranks, but with its perfect primal genes awakened, it was no pushover. Feng Lin had defeated it single-handedly. Though Feng Shaoyou was a full level above him, Feng Lin wasn't intimidated. Who was stronger would only be decided in battle! What was there to fear? Waves of pressure swept over him like a storm, but Feng Lin felt it like a gentle breeze, a faint smile on his face, unmoved. "Oh?" Feng Shaoyou was startled. As an interstellar cultivator, Feng Lin could face his pressure so easily, his cultivation nearing elite level. Reaching this level in the chaotic Solar System star region showed boundless potential. He grew even more eager to recruit Feng Lin, speaking again. "Do you know how exalted the Feng family's main family is in the interstellar realm? We're true descendants of the Three Sovereigns, inheriting the Fuxi gene, recognized as a noble interstellar clan with vast cultivation resources! The Chinese Republic controls the entire Eastern Milky Way, its territory unimaginably vast. We Fengs come from a great lineage, enjoying privileges wherever we go. Entering the main family is a once-in-a-lifetime honor for others! You branch members have almost no chance—don't be ungrateful!..." Seeing him still so condescending, Feng Lin sneered even more. Only by becoming someone's subordinate could he return to this interstellar main family! What was there to regret? Feng Lin had barely escaped his family's shackles through his own efforts; why would he foolishly jump into a bigger fire pit? Wouldn't all his past struggles become a colossal joke? Interstellar nobility, great clans? Feng Lin spoke solemnly, each word ringing like metal striking stone. "No need! I won't return to the interstellar main family! Because..." "I ~ am ~ the ~ nobility!"