Lei Shen took Han Jue away.
The fighter craft they traveled in was remarkably fast, cutting through the sky with barely a sound.
Back at the Han family manor, Han Hechang and Han Hesheng sat with Wang Heng in the living room. The atmosphere had grown serious, heavy with unspoken weight.
"Wang Heng, Little Jue has told you everything, hasn't he?" Han Hechang asked, leaning back against the sofa while his gaze remained fixed on the ceiling.
"Yes," Wang Heng replied, his expression shifting to one of absolute gravity.
"I believe you're a smart man," Han Hechang continued, his voice steady and measured. "You have a good relationship with Little Jue, and Hesheng is your superior. I won't hide the truth from you."
He paused, letting the silence stretch for a moment before continuing.
"I have a Spirit of Plants and Trees that I discovered by accident, the Blood Poison Mushroom."
Wang Heng's breath caught slightly at the name.
"The Blood Poison Mushroom is extraordinarily toxic," Han Hechang explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "However, the energy contained within it is sufficient to enable a high-level warrior to break through to the War God level. As long as you can withstand the excruciating pain, you'll undergo a complete transformation. Even your future cultivation path will become smooth and unimpeded. Reaching mid-level War God, or even high-level War God, wouldn't be impossible after that."
The words hung in the air like a blade suspended by a thread.
"Then... what happens if someone can't withstand it?" Wang Heng asked quietly.
"If you can't withstand it, you die." Han Hechang gave Wang Heng a penetrating look. "Little Jue is exceptionally talented, he doesn't need something like this. I'm not short of money, and it's of no use to me anymore."
He gestured dismissively, as if discussing something trivial rather than a potentially life-changing, or life-ending, decision.
"The choice is yours."
Wang Heng clenched his jaw, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. The opportunity being offered was extraordinary, but the risk was equally devastating. Become a War God... or die trying.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
"I'm willing to give it a try!" Wang Heng said through gritted teeth, determination burning in his eyes.
After several hours of flight, the fighter craft arrived at the global headquarters of the Thunder Dojo in Leiwu Base City.
From listening to Lei Shen's animated stories during the journey, Han Jue had learned that this was the base city Thunder God and his followers had established decades ago. It was located outside of China, in southwestern Asia, a stronghold of Lei Shen's power and influence.
"Let's go, kid."
As the fighter craft touched down, Thunder God gestured for Han Jue to disembark. Several people were already waiting on the landing platform, their postures radiating respect and discipline.
"Founder!"
A burly, imposing man stepped forward to greet them, his voice resonant with authority.
"This is Chen Ping, the elite training camp manager and a high-level War God," Thunder God introduced with a casual wave. "He'll be your primary instructor for the next five years. Of course, knowing you, you won't need to stay that long."
"Understood," Han Jue said with a respectful nod.
"This must be the Han family prodigy everyone's been talking about," a blonde female warrior said with an approving smile. "It's a rare occasion when the Thunder Dojo can claim a victory over the Extreme Martial Arts School in recruitment."
"You take him around and show him what we have here," Thunder God said, already turning to leave. "I'm not particularly fond of lingering in the spotlight."
"No problem, Founder!" Chen Ping readily accepted the responsibility and turned to introduce the assembled group to Han Jue.
"This is Pan Xi, and the one with glasses is Carl. They're both War God level instructors at the training camp."
Han Jue nodded politely and greeted each of them in turn.
Seeing the young warrior's composed demeanor, Chen Ping continued with his explanations.
"The training camp has holidays in January and February each year, and officially reopens on March 1st. Similar to the Extreme Martial Arts School, I'll take you to see the leaderboard first, let you choose a number, and then show you to the dormitories and other facilities."
"That sounds perfect," Han Jue agreed.
The leaderboard was located at the main entrance to the training camp. The design was almost identical to the Extreme Martial Arts School's version, except the black dragon sculpture had been replaced by a coiled, silver-scaled python. Its massive maw gaped wide, tongue extended, radiating an oppressive aura of power.
"This is a King-level monster the Founder slew decades ago," Chen Ping explained with obvious pride. "He removed its two fangs and pupils and placed them within this sculpture, creating a lasting aura of dominance! It's said that this aura contains a trace of lightning intent, making it a valuable aid for those cultivating the Nine-Layer Thunder Blade."
Han Jue studied the sculpture with interest, noting the subtle pressure emanating from it.
"As for the names on the snake scales," Chen Ping continued, "they represent rankings. Each month, the top-ranked student receives rewards. Rankings are determined by increasing combat power amplitude and successful monster hunts." He gestured toward the scales. "You can now choose any number between 0 and 99."
Han Jue looked up at the massive sculpture. There were one hundred and ten names inscribed on various snake scales, but none of them looked familiar to him.
The Thunder Dojo's resources were indeed significantly inferior to those of the Extreme Martial Arts School, just as he'd suspected. Only because Thunder God valued him personally would he receive the promised resources at all.
"I choose 1," Han Jue said quietly.
"Understood." Chen Ping nodded without further comment.
The next moment, Han Jue's name and chosen number appeared on one of the snake scales, glowing faintly with silver light:
"No. 111 Han Jue (560801)"
As the ranking solidified on the scale, Chen Ping gestured for Han Jue to follow him.
"Next, I'll show you to Leiwu Villa."
They walked through the sprawling training camp complex until they reached an area dotted with elegant villas.
"Because the Founder specifically instructed us to provide you with the best accommodations, you'll be staying in the instructors' residential area," Chen Ping explained. "There are several villas over there that are currently vacant. You can choose whichever one appeals to you. They all have complete facilities."
"Thank you," Han Jue said, quickly surveying the options before selecting a villa that suited his preferences.
"Excellent choice." Chen Ping's smile widened slightly, a smile that made Han Jue instinctively wary for reasons he couldn't quite identify.
"Next," Chen Ping announced with obvious excitement, "I'll take you to see the Trial Tower! This is technology jointly developed and shared between the Extreme Martial Arts School and the Thunder Dojo. Apart from our two elite training camps, not even the five major nations' militaries have access to such facilities."
The pride in Chen Ping's voice was unmistakable.
He led Han Jue on a winding path through the complex, and soon they arrived at a building with a distinctly futuristic aesthetic, all sleek lines, reflective surfaces, and subtle lighting that seemed to pulse with energy.
"This is the Nine-Storied Building, sharing the same name as its counterpart at the Extreme Martial Arts School," Chen Ping said. "Because we share access to the system with them, students typically need to queue for their turn. However, the Founder has granted you unlimited priority access. You can cut the line whenever necessary."
Unlimited priority access? Han Jue was slightly surprised by the privilege but accepted it without comment.
They ascended to the ninth floor of the building. Whether it had been cleared out in advance or they'd simply arrived at a fortunate time, there wasn't a single other student present.
Chen Ping led Han Jue into a specialized room and demonstrated how to use the virtual reality helmet, a sophisticated piece of technology that looked almost organic in its design.
They both donned the helmets and entered the virtual space together.
Han Jue felt a momentary disorientation as his consciousness transferred into the simulation. Despite having read about such technology in the Swallowed Star novel, encountering a fully immersive virtual space for the first time was genuinely fascinating. He couldn't help but wonder just how sophisticated the legendary Virtual Universe Company's technology would be when he eventually encountered it.
"In the virtual space, everyone's basic physical fitness is standardized," Chen Ping explained, his voice echoing slightly in the digital realm. "You're only a high-level warrior in reality, but here you'll need to adapt to the enhanced physique of a planetary-level warrior. This standardization ensures the Trial Tower provides an accurate assessment of your technique and comprehension rather than raw physical advantage."
He gestured toward the distance. "See that tower?"
Han Jue looked up, and his breath caught.
The Trial Tower pierced the virtual sky like a titan's spear, its peak disappearing into clouds that seemed impossibly distant. The structure was immense beyond comprehension, standing at its base, Han Jue and Chen Ping might as well have been ants contemplating a mountain.
"That's the Trial Tower," Chen Ping said unnecessarily, though Han Jue had already guessed as much.
They approached the main entrance together, and Chen Ping pointed to a black stone pillar standing to the left of the massive doors.
"Look at that stone pillar."
As Han Jue focused on it, text suddenly materialized on the pillar's surface, glowing with ethereal light:
"Name: Han Jue
Gender: Male
Status: Elite Training Camp Student
Trial Tower Level: 1"
Turning his head, Han Jue saw similar information displayed for Chen Ping:
"Name: Chen Ping
Gender: Male
Status: War God
Trial Tower Level: 4.2"
"The Trial Tower has seven floors," Chen Ping explained, his tone taking on a reverent quality. "Currently, no one in the world has reached the seventh floor. Not even Hong himself has conquered it."
"What about the Founder?" Han Jue asked, genuinely curious.
"The Founder's Trial Tower level is slightly lower than Hong's, but he's also reached the sixth floor," Chen Ping replied, correctly anticipating Han Jue's follow-up question before he could ask it. "They're the only two people in history to reach that height."
He turned to face Han Jue directly, his expression shifting to one of eager anticipation.
"Go ahead. Choose a combat uniform and weapon that suit you, and let's see how far you can get."
Han Jue nodded, his own excitement building despite his typically calm demeanor. Without hesitation, he selected the equipment that matched his preferences and combat style, then strode resolutely toward the Trial Tower's entrance.
As Han Jue's figure disappeared through the massive doors, Chen Ping watched with barely contained curiosity and excitement.
I wonder how far this genius, whom the Founder values so highly, can actually reach? he thought, already anticipating what was certain to be an extraordinary performance.