With the conclusion of the practical assessment, this cohort of examinees achieved the lowest casualty and pass rate in Monster Town's history.
Most of the monsters had perished at Han Jue's hands. Even now, a legend circulated through Monster Town, whispered tales of a black and white ghost who'd single-handedly slaughtered hundreds of creatures. Anyone present was at least a quasi-warrior, and the thought haunted them: what quasi-warrior could kill on such a scale?
But that was a story for another time.
Han Jue, the protagonist of this legend, currently found himself in a lounge, surrounded by three imposing figures.
"Han Jue, are you willing to join the military and contribute to China's defense?" an officer asked, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer. "Commander Jia Yi has heard about you and is very interested in your potential. He's prepared to devote all of China's resources to your training."
The officer understood his chances were slim, but he had to try. Whether or not you could succeed was one thing; whether or not to ask was another matter entirely.
Before Han Jue could even open his mouth to refuse, Zhuge Tao interjected from the other side of the room.
"My name is Zhuge Tao, director of the Extreme Martial Arts School's Jiangnan branch," he said with a practiced smile. "Han Jue, I'd like to formally invite you to join our organization. As you know, the Extreme Martial Arts School is the finest in the world."
"Join us, and I'll arrange for you to attend the elite training camp at our global headquarters. It's also known as the War God Preparatory Camp, and it surpasses even the Thunder Dojo's training program! I've already reported your information to our founder, and he'll definitely focus resources on your development."
"Little Han, the founder will come to see you in person tomorrow," Wang Heng interjected, waiting for the others to finish before speaking with calculated confidence. "He'll explain the specific contract terms and everything. He might even accept you as his personal disciple."
Wang Heng's smile widened as he delivered his trump card. "Your uncle will be back tomorrow too, and you can meet with the founder together."
Thunder God himself!
Just based on that alone, Wang Heng was certain the other two organizations couldn't compete. The Extreme Martial Arts School's facilities might be superior, but so what? At worst, the founder could simply borrow resources from Hong! The two were practically brothers, after all.
Han Jue, already feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the three-way argument, quickly agreed when he heard his uncle would arrive the next day.
"Alright, Brother Wang, I understand," Han Jue said, then turned apologetically to the others. "Senior Zhuge, I'm sorry. I can't join the Extreme Martial Arts School. And I must decline the military's offer as well."
"It's fine," the officer said with a slight shake of his head and a knowing smile. He hadn't expected to succeed anyway.
Zhuge Tao gave Han Jue a long, searching look, regret flickering across his features. Fortunately, he hadn't walked away empty-handed this time. Luo Feng was also a promising genius with the potential to become a War God in the future.
Wang Heng had to wait until the assessment concluded before leaving, and Han Jue, with nothing pressing to do, stayed with him to see what choice Luo Feng would ultimately make.
Han Jue still hoped the protagonist would listen to his earlier advice.
Not long after, Luo Feng and two other figures entered the lounge from outside.
"Luo Feng, I won this time!" Wan Dong was still talking enthusiastically, but immediately fell silent when he noticed the assembled crowd inside.
"Supervisor," Luo Feng nodded respectfully to Zhuge Tao first, ignoring Wan Dong's excited chatter, and scanned the room. Besides Zhuge Tao, he spotted the director of the Thunder Dojo, the military major general, and a familiar figure.
"Han Jue?" Luo Feng's eyes widened in surprise before sudden realization struck. Of course, if Han Jue hadn't lied to him, he should have been recruited early by a martial arts school. That explained why his name wasn't on the public roster.
"Luo Feng, you performed exceptionally well this time," Zhuge Tao said with an approving smile. "I'll report to headquarters and upgrade your contract level."
"Thank you, Supervisor!" Luo Feng responded quickly, clearly flattered by the praise.
"Luo Feng," Wang Heng spoke up, his tone solemn and businesslike. "My name is Wang Heng, director of the Thunder Dojo's general hall. Are you willing to join the Thunder Dojo instead? Don't worry about any breach of contract penalties."
Zhuge Tao was about to protest when Luo Feng cut him off.
"I'm sorry," Luo Feng said with a slight bow. "Thank you, Director Wang, for your generous offer, but I've already committed to the Extreme Martial Arts School and have no intention of transferring. I'm truly sorry."
Wang Heng nodded slightly and said nothing more. After all, he had Han Jue, that was more than enough.
Zhuge Tao felt even more impressed by Luo Feng's loyalty and gave him an approving look.
The officer, realizing his own prospects were hopeless, tactfully remained silent and prepared to depart.
Before leaving, Han Jue stopped Luo Feng with a meaningful glance.
"Luo Feng, I hope you remember what I said before."
Han Jue hoped the protagonist would reveal his Spirit Reader abilities, but he had no intention of making the choice for him. Otherwise, he would simply announce Luo Feng's psychic status himself.
Luo Feng paused, then nodded solemnly.
"What did you two talk about?" Wang Heng asked curiously once they'd left the building.
While the surveillance footage had captured a brief encounter between the two during the assessment, the audio hadn't been recorded, leaving their conversation a mystery.
"Nothing important," Han Jue said with a slight shake of his head, then glanced at Wang Heng with a mischievous smile. "Brother Wang, can you spar with me later? I feel like my swordsmanship is about to break through."
"You brat," Wang Heng glared without any real heat. "I haven't even reached Perfect level yet. I'd forgotten if you hadn't reminded me, you deliberately only showed Microscopic-level movement during your last test, didn't you?"
"How could I do that?" Han Jue chuckled, walking ahead with casual confidence. "It was just a fortunate breakthrough."
"You're such a monster," Wang Heng muttered, shaking his head. The young man's talent had almost become numbing to witness. "After just over six months of training, you're already stronger than most high-level warriors, even some War Gods."
"Brother Wang, do you want to become a War God?" Han Jue asked suddenly, his tone shifting to something more serious.
"War God? Of course I do. Who doesn't want to be a War God?" Wang Heng scoffed. "But with my aptitude, it's probably beyond reach."
"Have you heard of Spirits of Plants and Trees?" Han Jue had always appreciated Wang Heng's support, and since the man was his father's subordinate, he wanted to help him achieve that goal.
"I've heard a little about them. Why do you ask?" Wang Heng's curiosity was immediately piqued.
"My uncle just sent me a message. He'll bring one tomorrow," Han Jue said, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
"Really?" Wang Heng's excitement was palpable and immediate.
The War God level he'd been pursuing for so many years, could today finally be the day?
"Let's head to the Thunder Dojo's training arena and spar first," Han Jue said with an encouraging smile.
"Absolutely!" Wang Heng agreed enthusiastically, already making a mental note to let Han Jue land a few extra hits during their match. It was the least he could do.
That night, high above Jiangnan Base City, a triangular fighter craft came to a silent stop, hovering in the darkness.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... Perfect-level agility combined with Perfect-level swordsmanship," a bald man in white robes mused aloud, reviewing data on a holographic display within the fighter. "Although he hasn't grasped Artistic Conception yet, given his age, that's just a matter of time. He might even comprehend Brother Hong's Domain!"
Lei Shen, Thunder God himself, laughed heartily in the confines of his aircraft.
"This boy should be my disciple!" he declared with satisfaction. "Although I haven't comprehended the Domain myself, I'll teach a disciple who can, and then I'll have bragging rights over Brother Hong!"
Thunder God smiled with undisguised pride as various scenarios played through his mind, each one more entertaining than the last.