Hong

While Chen Hao and Jiang Fang were being lovey-dovey, they both received a notification at the same time. Hong wanted to see them.

"Since Hong wants to see us, let's go." After checking the notification, Chen Hao and Jiang Fang rose together, left the fighter jet, and flew toward the Extreme Martial Arts Hall headquarters in Hongning Base City.

The two soon arrived before an enormous spacecraft-like building, ten thousand meters long and a hundred meters tall, with a gigantic hatch dozens of meters wide. Large numbers of troops stood guard outside the massive ship.

They landed together. Looking at the giant spacecraft, Chen Hao inwardly marveled. As expected of a relic of an alien civilization—even a mere B-Class Mothership was so enormous.

At that moment, a beam of blue light shot out from the spacecraft and enveloped Chen Hao and Jiang Fang.

Beep. Beep.

"Councilor Jiang Fang, God of War Chen Hao, please enter," said an electronic voice.

Chen Hao and Jiang Fang walked inside through the huge hatchway, dozens of meters wide. A man and woman in blue robes greeted them with smiles. "Councilor Jiang Fang, God of War Chen Hao, please come with us."

When they arrived in the lounge, Chen Hao and Jiang Fang immediately spotted a peerlessly enchanting beauty standing there.

Upon seeing them, the beauty waved. "Jiang Fang, Chen Hao, come over. Follow me to see the Chief Hall Master."

"Hall Master, Jiang Fang and Chen Hao have arrived." Outside a lounge door, Yao Rao bowed as she reported.

"Let them in." A voice came from within. Chen Hao and Jiang Fang entered the reception room. It was empty and pitch-black, with only three cushions inside.

A young man in his twenties, around 1.9 meters tall, wearing black trousers and a black coat, with close-cropped hair, sat on one of the cushions.

The instant Chen Hao entered, the young man's gaze stabbed at him like a spear. Chen Hao's head roared, and the world around him twisted completely.

Not a trace of light remained in the reception room. There was only darkness, and within that black world, the young man shone like a dazzling god. This was the world's strongest man—Hong.

Chen Hao gave a muffled grunt as his Mental Power violently surged. Then his mind cleared. Meeting the other man's gaze, he stared back without the slightest courtesy.

Seeing Chen Hao regain consciousness in an instant, the young man's eyes lit up, and a trace of approval flashed through them. "Chen Hao, not bad! Sit."

As the young man spoke, he withdrew his aura. Then he looked at Jiang Fang. "Jiang Fang, I never expected the sixth person from my Extreme Martial Arts Hall to break through to Councilor Rank to be you. What reward do you want? Would you like to become an inspector of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall?"

"Hall Master, there's nothing I want. The five inspectors are enough. I'll stay at the Training Camp, just as before." If this had been in the past, Jiang Fang would definitely have accepted the position of inspector.

After Chen Hao had explained things to her and broadened her horizons, she decided to devote her energy to cultivating the Martial Artist Basic 256 Forms.

Hong was not surprised by Jiang Fang's choice. After all, Jiang Fang had remained at the Training Camp all these years, so it was nothing strange for her not to leave.

Hong nodded slightly. "Fine. Then stay at the Training Camp and guide the students there. There should also be a Councilor-Rank instructor there."

Then he looked at Chen Hao. "You have now graduated from the Training Camp, and your strength has reached the Invincible War God level. Are you willing to serve as a Base City inspector?"

Chen Hao refused without hesitation. "No need, Chief Hall Master. I don't like managing affairs. What matters most now is improving my strength. So I'll have to disappoint you."

Hearing Chen Hao's answer, Hong fell silent for a moment. "Fine. For you right now, advancing to Councilor Rank is the most important thing. If there's anything you need, you can ask me."

"I don't need anything." Chen Hao shook his head.

"Then you may leave."

Identify Copy

"Chen Hao, why does it feel like you're somewhat distant toward the Hall Master? Is it because of the pressure from his aura at the beginning?" After they left the Extreme Martial Arts Hall headquarters, Jiang Fang could not help asking.

"I am somewhat distant, but it isn't because of that initial aura pressure. I simply dislike Hong's methods. His methods may not matter to top geniuses. They might even motivate them to keep advancing."

"But for ordinary geniuses, his methods will only cloud their hearts. If they can overcome it, their futures will certainly be bright. But if they cannot, they will never reach Councilor Rank in their entire lives."

"How could that be? Aren't you overthinking it?" Jiang Fang found Chen Hao's words unbelievable.

Chen Hao chuckled. "I won't mention anything else. Let me ask you this: although things are much safer now than during the Great Nirvana, the dangers in the wilderness have actually increased, haven't they? The Training Camp has gathered so many geniuses from around the world, but over all these years, how many have advanced to Councilor Rank?"

"Forget it. There's no need to worry about such things. If I'm not mistaken, the Hall Master's realm of heart is extremely high, and his will is incredibly strong. His heart has likely taken the path of Infinite Heart, embracing everything. His path of heart is the great path—both impartial and selfish, with everything serving his own development."

Jiang Fang was shocked speechless by his words. Then Chen Hao explained the three paths of cultivating one's state of mind to her.

"There are three paths to cultivating one's will, divided into three realms of heart. The first path is the easiest to enter, but the hardest to cultivate to its peak. The focus of this realm lies in pointing directly to one's true heart and recognizing oneself. It is truth."

"The second path is the heart of a newborn child, unity of man and nature. It follows purity. The third path is the one the Hall Master follows: Infinite Heart, embracing everything. It follows impartiality."

"The three paths have no superiority or inferiority. The first is easy at first, then difficult, and finally easy again. The latter two are difficult at first, then easy, and finally difficult again."

"In my view, only two people on Earth currently follow the second and third paths—the two Chief Hall Masters. Most others follow the first path. But with their aptitude, it will be difficult for them to achieve anything on that path in this lifetime."

After the two returned to Jiang Fang's villa, life became ordinary again. Under the impact of Chen Hao's vast knowledge, Jiang Fang no longer had any desire to fight for power or profit, devoting herself wholeheartedly to cultivating her martial arts.

Chen Hao took the opportunity to receive and fuse the books he had previously ordered, along with the many three-year-old Ginseng and He Shou Wu he had purchased.

Then, whenever numerous instructors came to visit Jiang Fang, he copied all of their skills.

Hong

Earthling

68 years old

Talent: Light

Realm: Planetary Level, sixth stage; Domain, first level

Skills: Basic Spear Technique Artistic Conception, Basic Movement Technique Artistic Conception, World Annihilation, sixth level

Thanks to reader 20221106140246637 for the precious monthly vote, and thanks everyone for your recommendation votes.