The Elephant Lord's Benevolence

Tian Wen could guess what Han Wu was thinking just by looking at him.

As Han Wu's teacher, Tian Wen offered his advice.

"Student Han Wu, ten billion Divine Power is too much for you. You can't use that much at the Divine Being stage. I suggest you keep a small portion for your Divine Realm's development and use the rest to purchase a suitable Divine Artifact for yourself."

"Divine Artifact?" Han Wu repeated.

He knew that equipment in Divine Realm Civilizations was divided into four types: ordinary equipment, Faith Equipment, Divine Power Equipment, and Divinity Equipment.

Among these, Divinity Equipment, also known as Divine Artifacts, were meant only for gods to wield.

"I'm still just a Divine Being, not even a Demigod. Can I control a Divine Artifact?" Han Wu asked doubtfully.

"No problem. Choose a gentle Divine Artifact, and even a Divine Being can control it. Your teacher knows a shop that sells Divine Artifacts, and they can definitely help you find one that suits you," Tian Wen promised, patting his chest.

"Alright, let's go now then." Han Wu was a bit impatient.

Just as they were about to leave, a figure suddenly rushed towards him, shouting, "Locust, I finally found you."

Seeing who it was, Han Wu quickly sought help from Tian Wen, "Teacher, save me!"

The person who had arrived was none other than the Demigod Elephant Lord, whom he had defeated in the arena.

Han Wu could only think of one reason for the Elephant Lord to be looking for him: revenge for the loss of half of his Retinue.

Upon seeing the Elephant Lord, Tian Wen also assumed he was here for revenge. He immediately shielded Han Wu and declared, "With me here, who dares to harm my student!"

The Elephant Lord wore a "Thanks, but no thanks" expression.

"Don't misunderstand, I'm not here for revenge," the Elephant Lord explained.

Seeing that the Elephant Lord's expression wasn't fake, Han Wu breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Then why are you looking for me? I'm not going to compensate you for the loss of your Retinue."

At the mention of the lost Retinue, the Elephant Lord's face darkened.

He had thought being chosen for a fight against a Divine Being was a lucky break, but he hadn't expected to run into a tough opponent.

Not only did he lose face, but half of his Retinue was wiped out.

Who could he even complain to about this?

The dejected Elephant Lord stated frankly, "I came because I think you have good strength and I want to make friends with you. I'm a freshman at Imperial Capital Academy, and my real name is Xiang Meng."

As he spoke, Xiang Meng extended his hand.

"A student from Imperial Capital Academy, it's an honor." Han Wu also extended his hand and shook Xiang Meng's.

"You don't look very old. You probably haven't taken the college entrance exam yet. Which academy are you a preparatory student for?" Xiang Meng asked.

Han Wu touched the mask on his face, somewhat confused as to how Xiang Meng could tell his age.

"I'm not a preparatory student for any academy. I'm just an ordinary high school student," Han Wu replied.

"What?" Xiang Meng exclaimed in disbelief. "Impossible, absolutely impossible. You're joking with me, right?"

"Why would I lie to you? This person beside me is my teacher. He can vouch for me," Han Wu said, pointing to Tian Wen.

Tian Wen said, "Student Locust... cough, Student Locust is indeed not a preparatory student. Although many academies have extended invitations to him, Student Locust has high aspirations and only wishes to join Imperial Capital Academy. However, the admissions teacher at Imperial Capital Academy isn't very interested in Student Locust."

"I see," Xiang Meng said, enlightened, and then smiled. "I didn't expect you to have such good taste. Imperial Capital Academy is the most powerful among the three top academies."

"Just based on your taste, I have to make you my junior. I will report your situation to the academy, and they will likely give you a trial. When you go back, do your best to improve your Core Kin. You might be able to seize this opportunity and get onto the preparatory student list for Imperial Capital Academy."

Han Wu's expression was surprised, and he pressed, "Are you really going to help me?"

After all, from a normal person's perspective, Han Wu had wiped out half of Xiang Meng's Retinue. Han Wu should have been grateful that Xiang Meng hadn't come for revenge, let alone repaying kindness with kindness.

Xiang Meng laughed heartily. "Don't misunderstand. The reason I'm willing to help you, besides seeing your potential and wanting to befriend you, is more out of self-interest."

"The path to godhood is long. Having a few companions to rely on is naturally easier than going it alone. You are qualified to be my friend."

"Also, if I recommend you to the academy, and you pass the trial, the school will give me a resource reward. Why wouldn't I take a reward for free?"

"And another thing, only if you become my junior will I have a chance to recoup my losses from the destruction of half my Retinue from you. If you go to another academy, I might never have the chance to get compensation from you in this lifetime. Hahaha."

After hearing Xiang Meng's reasons, Han Wu felt that this was reliable.

"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Meng," Han Wu said gratefully.

"It's a small matter. However, you need to be strong yourself. You should invest more resources in your Core Kin recently. It would be best if you could cultivate a Heroic Lifeform. Passing the trial at Imperial Capital Academy is not an easy task," Xiang Meng advised.

From Xiang Meng's repeated mentions of Core Kin, Han Wu understood that his top priority from now on would be to strengthen his Core Kin.

After bidding farewell to Xiang Meng, Han Wu and Tian Wen were teleported to a street called Wanbao Road.

Shops selling equipment lined both sides of the street.

From the lowest-grade ordinary equipment to the highest-grade Divinity Equipment, everything was available.

Under Tian Wen's guidance, the two arrived in front of a shop that looked very ancient.

Han Wu looked up at the shop's signboard.

Treasure Pavilion.

Hmm, the name was classic and had a sense of history, but it was a bit tacky.

"Let's go in," Tian Wen said, pushing open the shop door and stepping inside.

A beautiful female Demigod at the front desk greeted the two warmly, showing no difference in treatment even though Han Wu was still just a Divine Being.

"Welcome to the Treasure Pavilion. Are you two looking to purchase equipment of a certain grade, or would you like to see a specific Forging Master?"

"Please connect me with Master Tony. Tell him Old Tian is visiting," Tian Wen said with practiced ease.

Han Wu frowned beside him: Does Master Tony specialize in crafting Divine Artifacts?

The female Demigod contacted Master Tony through the Treasure Pavilion's communication system.

Soon, a portal appeared.

Tian Wen called Han Wu to come along through the portal, and they arrived at Master Tony's forge.

Han Wu saw a stout, bald man with a face full of muscle, holding an Iron Hammer in one hand and pliers in the other. The man turned and asked them, "Old Tian, is the fat sheep you brought this time plump enough?"

For a fleeting moment, a thought crossed Han Wu's mind: Is it too late to run now?