With the conclusion of the practical combat assessment, this group of candidates recorded the lowest casualty and pass rates in history.
Most of the monsters were slain by Gu Ce, and a legend began circulating in Monster Town about a ghostly figure dressed in black with white hair who had single-handedly killed hundreds of monsters.
The candidates in this assessment were all prospective warriors. Who else but Gu Ce could have achieved such a feat?
But these were stories for later.
…
As the main character, Gu Ce was now in a lounge.
With the combat assessment finishing early, Gu Ce was surrounded by three large men.
"Gu Ce, are you willing to join the military and help protect China? Chief Jia Yi has heard about you and is very interested in you. He will train you with all his resources."
Although the officer didn't expect much from his request, he still asked.
Before Gu Ce could respond, Zhuge Tao, who was standing on the other side, spoke up: "I'm Zhuge Tao, director of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall. Gu Ce, I formally invite you to join our gym. As you know, the Extreme Martial Arts Hall is the best in the world!"
"Join my Extreme Martial Arts Hall, and I'll arrange for you to enter the elite training camp at our global headquarters—also known as the God of War Preparatory Camp. It's far superior to the training at the Thunder and Lightning Martial Arts Hall. I've already reported your details to our Master, and when he sees you, he'll personally train you." Zhuge Tao said confidently.
"Gu Ce, the Master himself will meet with you tomorrow to discuss the contract terms and may even accept you as his disciple." Wang Heng added after them.
"The Thunder God himself will be arriving tomorrow!"
Wang Heng knew that with this, he could be certain that no other group would be able to compete with him.
The Extreme Martial Arts Hall might have better facilities, but that didn't matter much.
At worst, he would borrow the facilities from the Master!
Gu Ce, who was already feeling a headache from the three of them arguing, heard that his uncle would be arriving the next day and quickly agreed.
"Okay, Brother Wang, I understand." Gu Ce said. "Senior Zhuge, I'm sorry, but I can't join the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, and I also have to respectfully decline your offer, Senior."
"It's okay." The officer nodded slightly, smiling at Gu Ce. He hadn't expected to succeed anyway.
Zhuge Tao gave Gu Ce a long, regretful look. He thought it was a pity.
Fortunately, Luo Feng, another talented young man, also had the potential to become a future God of War.
Wang Heng, having waited for the assessment to end, decided to leave, but Gu Ce stayed behind to see what choice Luo Feng would make.
Gu Ce hoped that Luo Feng would heed his advice.
It didn't take long for Luo Feng to enter the lounge, accompanied by two other figures.
"Luo Feng, I won this time!" Wan Dong was still talking to Luo Feng, but his words faltered when he saw the group of people in the room.
"Director." Luo Feng nodded respectfully to Zhuge Tao, ignoring Wan Dong's loud boast. His eyes scanned the room and immediately locked onto a familiar figure.
"Gu Ce?" Luo Feng was momentarily stunned, then quickly remembered. Of course, if Gu Ce wasn't lying to him, he must have been recruited by a martial arts school in advance, which explained why he hadn't seen his name outside.
"Luo Feng, you performed well this time. I'll report to the higher-ups and improve your contract." Zhuge Tao smiled at Luo Feng.
"Thank you, Director!" Luo Feng replied gratefully.
"Luo Feng." Wang Heng spoke seriously. "My name is Wang Heng, Director of the Thunder and Lightning General Hall. Are you willing to join my Thunder and Lightning Martial Arts Hall? Don't worry about liquidated damages."
Before Zhuge Tao could respond, Luo Feng interrupted.
"Sorry," Luo Feng said with a slight bow. "Thank you, Director Wang, for your offer, but I've already joined the Extreme Martial Arts Hall and have never considered switching. I apologize."
Wang Heng nodded slightly, not pressing further. He already had a plan in mind.
Zhuge Tao smiled approvingly at Luo Feng's decision, while the officer, seeing there was no chance, remained silent.
After the failed recruitment attempt, Gu Ce called out to Luo Feng as he was about to leave.
"Luo Feng, I hope you remember what I said before." Gu Ce wasn't going to make the decision for him, but he still hoped that Luo Feng would show his true potential, rather than holding back.
Luo Feng was a bit surprised, then nodded solemnly.
"What did you two talk about?" Wang Heng asked curiously.
Although they had seen a brief exchange between the two men on the surveillance footage, they couldn't hear what was said.
"Nothing." Gu Ce shook his head and glanced at Wang Heng. "Brother Wang, will you practice later? I think my swordsmanship is on the verge of a breakthrough."
"You brat." Wang Heng glared at him. "I haven't even reached the perfect level of movement yet. If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. You're hiding your skills—last time you only showed a subtle level of movement on purpose, right?"
"Of course not," Gu Ce chuckled. "Just a lucky break."
"...You're really a freak. After practicing for just half a year, you're stronger than most generals and even some war gods," Wang Heng muttered, almost numb to Gu Ce's talent.
"Brother Wang, do you want to become a war god?" Gu Ce suddenly asked.
"War god? Of course, who wouldn't want to be a war god?" Wang Heng sneered. "But with my qualifications, it's probably impossible."
"Have you heard of the spirit of plants and trees?" Gu Ce wanted to help Wang Heng, since his father was Wang Heng's superior.
"I've heard a little. Why?" Wang Heng asked, curious.
"My uncle just sent me a message to come over tomorrow," Gu Ce hinted.
"Really?" Wang Heng was suddenly excited.
Could this finally be the day?
"Let's go to the Thunder and Lightning Martial Arts Hall's fighting arena and practice first." Gu Ce smiled.
"Okay!" Wang Heng said, excitement building. He had already decided—he'd let Gu Ce hit him a few more times to improve.
…
That night, above Jiangnan Base City, a triangular fighter jet landed.
"Tsk tsk, perfect body skills, plus perfect sword skills... though he hasn't yet realized artistic conception, his age isn't a problem. He might even be able to reach Brother Hong's domain!"
Inside the jet, a bald man in a white robe laughed.
"This boy should be my disciple! Even if I can't comprehend the domain, I'll show off to Brother Hong after I teach a disciple who can!"
Thor smiled proudly, imagining the future.