Chu Han listened to Li Yunjian's words, a genuine wave of shock rippling through his heart.
As one of the four major martial arts universities, Longxia Military Martial University stood among the top ten martial arts schools in the world.
It was an institution of higher learning that hundreds of millions of students across the country dreamed of, and one of Chu Han's targets.
All four major institutions were his targets.
Yet his highest priority remained the number-one-ranked Kyoto Martial Arts University.
Kyoto Martial Arts University was the premier martial arts university within the Longxia Federation, boasting the greatest and finest teaching faculty, martial arts resources, and powerhouses cultivated.
Compared to it, Military Martial University still fell slightly short.
Even so, given his current circumstances, Military Martial University was indeed a fine choice.
Seeing Chu Han moved, Li Yunjian continued, "Given your conditions, I guarantee you can absolutely secure a recommendation slot. As long as you pass the assessment when the time comes, you'll be able to enroll smoothly. That's far easier than taking the path of the Martial Arts Grand Examination."
Chu Han had not expected this military officer to value him to such a degree, and the conditions he offered were truly incomparably enticing, unquestionably representing a bright path of advancement for many martial artists.
Yet, after pondering for a moment, Chu Han still gently shook his head.
With a hint of apology, he said, "Officer Li, I appreciate your kind intentions, but I personally prefer a more free lifestyle and method of cultivation. The military has strict discipline and relatively strong constraints, so I'm afraid I wouldn't adapt."
Hearing Chu Han's refusal, Li Yunjian did not feel surprised; the fact that Chu Han had been able to withdraw from Third High School with such firmness was enough to show that his inner resolve was extremely steadfast.
Li Yunjian smiled and nodded, saying, "I respect your thoughts. Everyone has their own choices. However, I have another proposal here that you might want to consider."
Chu Han wore a curious expression as he looked at Li Yunjian and asked, "What proposal?"
Li Yunjian put down his coffee cup and said, "Chu Han, you can also hold a nominal position under my unit and become an honorary soldier."
"An honorary soldier?"
"That's right. Unlike other soldiers, an honorary soldier doesn't need to stay in the military year-round for training and missions. You only need to execute military missions occasionally and lend a hand when the military needs you. You are free to use all other time as you please."
"Furthermore, after each mission, you can also earn military merit, which can be used to exchange for various treasures within the military."
A stir went through Chu Han's heart; this proposal was indeed very suited to him.
He would neither be subjected to too many restrictions nor lack the military as backing, while also gaining certain benefits—he had no reason to refuse.
He nodded immediately and said, "Officer Li, this proposal is quite good. I accept."
"Haha, good! From now on, you're a member of our unit!"
Seeing Chu Han agree, Li Yunjian instantly wore a satisfied smile on his face.
"Terrific! With Brother Chu Han around, our unit's strength will advance even further!" Captain Wang also chimed in with great excitement.
At that moment, Li Yunjian solemnly drew a medal from his chest and said, "Chu Han, since you've agreed, I'll now represent the military region in awarding you this Level 1 Military Merit Medal. This is in recognition of your previous rescue of the military and the students!"
"For me?" Chu Han was somewhat surprised, seeing as he had not yet executed any military missions.
"Of course!"
With that, Li Yunjian handed the metal-gleaming medal over to Chu Han. "Congratulations, Brother Chu. You must be the soldier who has earned a military merit medal the fastest!"
"Thank you, Team Leader Li. From now on, whenever I'm free, I'll come to the military to cultivate."
Chu Han smiled.
He could perceive that Li Yunjian's sincerity was ample and that he truly appreciated him.
Chu Han kept all such goodwill firmly in his heart.
"Haha, your reward isn't over yet."
Li Yunjian took out a martial arts manual from his side backpack and handed it to Chu Han.
"This is—martial arts!"
Chu Han's eyes could no longer look away.
Li Yunjian smiled. "This is also a reward from the military region—a C-rank martial skill, Explosive Fist. I believe it will be of great help in raising your strength."
Chu Han hurriedly received the martial arts manual, his heart filled with gratitude as he said, "Team Leader Li, thank you, and thank you to the military region for the reward. Call on me whenever there's a mission in the future; I will never shirk!"
Li Yunjian patted Chu Han's shoulder and smiled. "Brother Chu Han, don't be so polite. From now on, we're our own people. If you need help with anything, just tell me."
Chu Han then exchanged contact information with Li Yunjian and Captain Wang.
Shortly after, Captain Wang personally drove him back to the Jiangcheng urban area.
Bidding farewell to Captain Wang, he sped back to his home.
Along the way, his mood was both somewhat apprehensive and filled with anticipation.
Before long, Chu Han pushed open the front door of his home.
The interior was very quiet; his father was resting in the bedroom, while his mother was still at work and had not yet returned.
"Dad, I'm back," Chu Han called out softly.
Walking into the bedroom, Chu Zhan had also woken up and asked with concern, "Xiaohan, how was this wilderness training camp? You didn't run into any danger, did you?"
Chu Han smiled and said, "Dad, you can rest easy. Nothing happened to me, and I had huge gains this trip."
"That's good. A martial artist is bound to experience countless actual combats in the future; this wilderness training camp is only the beginning."
Chu Zhan was quite satisfied, yet still lectured him like someone with experience—something Chu Han had long since grown accustomed to.
"Dad, let's not talk about that. I actually brought back something important for you this time."
"Oh, what is it?"
Drawing the bottle of Life No. 1 Gene Potion from his chest, Chu Han handed it out before his father and said, "Dad, look at what this is."
The face that had originally worn a smiling expression froze the instant he saw that bottle of potion, his eyes widening in utter disbelief. "This is... Life No. 1 Gene Potion? Xiaohan, where on earth did you get this? This stuff doesn't come cheap!"
Chu Zhan had also been researching methods of recovery over the years. When the Life No. 1 Gene Potion had debuted a few years prior, he had even obtained related news, but he simply could not afford it.
Seeing his son pull it out now, he was naturally incomparably shocked.
Chu Han explained, "Dad, of course I bought this. When I was at the wilderness training camp, I acquired some precious materials. After taking them to sell, I bought this bottle of potion. It should be able to cure your illness."
A warm current flowed through Chu Zhan's heart, but his brows furrowed tightly almost immediately, and he sighed. "Sigh, you child, how could you be so muddled! With this potion being so expensive, you should be using all your money on your own cultivation! I'm just a cripple; I'm not worth you spending such a huge price on medicine."
"You originally had no talent, and martial arts cultivation is already difficult—you need all kinds of resources to elevate yourself even more. How can you waste money on me?!"
Chu Zhan was extremely agitated. In his heart, he naturally wanted to take this dose of potion, but his son's future was more important! He had no choice but to steel his resolve to save the opportunity for his son.
Chu Han listened to his father's words, a wave of emotion stirring within his chest.
He said earnestly, "Dad, what are you saying? In my heart, you're no cripple. You've sacrificed so much for me and this family; now that I have the ability, of course I have to find a way to cure your illness!"
He thought for a moment before speaking anyway, "And, Dad, actually, the fact that my talent wasn't detected during the awakening ceremony before might have been a misunderstanding. As I've cultivated these past few days, I've discovered that I should have talent after all."
"What? You're saying it's true?!"
Chu Zhan was greatly startled, looking at Chu Han with a puzzled expression.
He knew that the awakening ceremony was extremely rigorous and generally wouldn't make mistakes.
"Could it be that you have a hidden talent?"
"Hidden talent? Right, very likely!"
Chu Han no longer concealed it. Qi and blood surged within his body, and a layer of grey stone-like skin instantly covered his entire skin.
Then, he picked up a kitchen knife and slashed it against his arm.
"Bang!"
The kitchen knife instantly shattered into several pieces.
Upon seeing this scene, Chu Zhan's eyes widened even further. "It's a talent, this is a talent! I knew it, my son could never be a mediocre person! Hahahahaha..."
Watching his father's excited appearance, Chu Han hastily said, "Dad, now you can take this potion."
Chu Zhan nodded, no longer hesitating. He unscrewed the potion bottle cap and threw his head back, draining the potion in a single gulp.
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