In 2056, technology was considerably more advanced than it had been decades earlier. On top of that, with everyone practicing martial arts, people's physical fitness was nothing like it used to be.
A little over a month after HF Base City was captured, its defenses were fully built. A little over a month after that, the city's basic infrastructure had begun to take shape.
However, even if the monsters' information network was slow, the Beast Emperors had already learned about the battle to capture City 0551.
As a result, the Base Cities had faced quite a few beast tides lately. Still, no King-level Monsters had joined in. Clearly, it was nothing more than a 'protest' from the Beast Emperors...
Once the Lord-level Monster leading the horde was killed, the beast tide dispersed.
Early one morning, Hen Ren was interrupted while cultivating by the doorbell.
"Come on in."
Hen Ren spoke softly. Her voice passed through the walls and reached the person outside clearly, yet without being loud.
It was an extremely refined application of Force Amplitude, sending her voice across a certain distance. It was close to transmitting sound directly into someone's ear; one step further, and she would achieve just that.
Hen Ren's villa door was never locked. After all, no one dared barge into a councilor's home.
At the sound of Hen Ren's voice, a middle-aged man in his thirties opened the door and walked in with Luo Feng.
"The training hall in the basement."
Her voice came again. The middle-aged man looked at Luo Feng. He didn't know his way around and didn't dare wander, so Luo Feng, who had been there a few times, had to lead the way.
Following Luo Feng's directions, the middle-aged man opened the basement door and saw Hen Ren.
"Yang Hui, are you here to take Luo Feng to the Elite Training Camp?"
"Yes, Ruthless Councilor."
Yang Hui nodded.
As a teacher and special envoy for the Elite Training Camp, his job was to recruit gifted youths who had been left out in the wilderness and bring them to the Basic Training Camp or the Elite Training Camp.
"It's already December. The New Year is almost here. Doesn't the Elite Training Camp recruit in February or March?"
Hen Ren had once attended the Elite Training Camp herself, so she knew the rules.
"That's right. But Luo Feng went from Quasi-Martial Artist to Low-level War General in just four months. He's also a Spirit Reader, and he took part in the battle for City 0551. After a meeting, the Inspectors decided to let him join early."
Yang Hui explained. Luo Feng's identity as a Spirit Reader had already been revealed.
But he hadn't offended any War Gods this time, so there was no need to hide it.
"Fine. Just tell the person in charge of the army to find someone to fill Luo Feng's vacancy."
"We've already spoken with the person in charge."
They'd naturally sorted things out before coming. Wasting Hen Ren's time and leaving a bad impression would have been no good for Yang Hui.
"Luo Feng, once you get to the Elite Training Camp, focus on your cultivation. And don't go flirting with girls."
Hen Ren knew Luo Feng wasn't that kind of person, but she still had to warn him. The butterflies on Earth were already causing chaos, after all. Who knew if someone might steal Xu Xin away from him...
"Don't worry, senior. I'll focus on my cultivation."
Luo Feng remained composed and respectful.
Of course, deep down, he was a little nervous. The fact that Hen Ren was Xu Xin's master had long since become common knowledge.
Facing Xu Xin's elder, Luo Feng had to look composed and respectful, like an excellent son-in-law. Still, he had to humble himself a little. Otherwise, why would anyone entrust their daughter to him?
Hen Ren had suddenly told him not to flirt with girls. Was she displeased with something he'd done and warning him? Had he recently been seen with some woman, leading to a misunderstanding?
That couldn't be it. There were hardly any women in HF Base City, which was still being rebuilt, and he spent all his time out hunting monsters. How would he even have time to meet a woman?
Luo Feng's mind raced. Even as he left, he was still thinking about it.
What a headache. Forget it. I'll ask Xu Xin about it later...
Xu Xin was the Xu Family's legitimate daughter, and Luo Feng already faced plenty of obstacles if he wanted to marry her. Now she had even become Hen Ren's disciple...
Fortunately, Xu Xin cared for him. Otherwise, given Luo Feng's personality, there was a very good chance he would stay single his whole life...
Hen Ren watched Luo Feng and Yang Hui leave, then thought for a moment.
"Xu Xin's physical fitness is almost at the Low-level War General Level. With Micro Level footwork and a Force Amplitude of two, she meets the minimum requirements for the Elite Training Camp. I might as well ask Hong to make an exception and let her join early."
That really was a good idea. Still, she ought to have a backup plan.
Hen Ren picked up the phone and called.
Far away in West Asia, Hong opened his eyes at the sound of his phone ringing.
"How unusual. Hen Ren's calling me?"
He had set special ringtones for Thor and Hen Ren, so he knew who was calling as soon as he heard it.
Hong smiled, picked up his phone, and answered.
Hen Ren's figure appeared on the phone's screen.
"What do you need, Hen Ren?"
"I want to get someone into the Elite Training Camp. Just letting you know."
"Get someone into the Elite Training Camp?"
Hong was taken aback. If he remembered correctly, the last time he'd asked Hen Ren to get Xu Ai into the Elite Training Camp, she had refused.
Why had she changed her mind all of a sudden?
"Yeah. Let Xu Xin join the Elite Training Camp."
"Xu Xin? Not Xu Ai? Wait, has your eldest disciple become a Martial Artist too?"
Hong was devoted to cultivation. He really hadn't paid much attention to trivial matters that didn't concern him.
"Yeah. Xu Xin passed the practical assessment a few months ago. She's at the Elementary War God Level now, with Micro Level footwork and a Force Amplitude of two. Her combat skills aren't very good, so I'm sending her to the Elite Training Camp for you to train her."
"This is fine. The camp is meant to cultivate talented Martial Artists. Reaching Micro Level footwork and a Force Amplitude of two within a few months is pretty good. And with your recommendation, we can give her a spot."
Hong nodded. Most people entering the Elite Training Camp were at around that level.
In the original story, Jiang Fang had considered Luo Feng's Force Amplitude of 2.8 to be 'high.' Clearly, most new recruits didn't reach that level.
"By the way, there's one more thing."
Hen Ren continued. This was the backup plan!
"Put Xu Ai in the Elite Training Camp too, but as a teacher."
"...What did you just say?"
Hong was baffled. One of her disciples was going in as a student and the other as a teacher? What kind of arrangement was that?
Hen Ren nodded and repeated herself.
"Send Xu Ai to teach at the Elite Training Camp. Don't worry, she's already reached a Force Amplitude of ten. Her footwork and swordsmanship are both at the Perfect Level. She's more than qualified to teach."
"Such a genius?"
After hearing that, Hong had the AI look up Xu Ai's records, then couldn't help smiling.
"You're lucky. You found yourself a great disciple. She's seventeen, right?"
"Yeah. Her birthday's passed, so she's already seventeen."
"Seventeen years old, at the Low-level War God Level, with a Force Amplitude of ten and Perfect Level footwork and swordsmanship. She's even more talented than you were back then."
Well, that was true in theory...
"Are you sure you don't want her to focus on cultivating, instead of sending her to teach at the Elite Training Camp?"
If Hong had a disciple like that, he'd tell her to forget everything else and focus on cultivating so she could reach the Planetary Level as soon as possible.
Hen Ren nodded, then shook her head.
"Help me move that Gravity Chamber to the Elite Training Camp so she can keep cultivating even while she's teaching."
"Sure, no problem."
It was a small favor. Hong was happy to help.
"Then there's nothing else to worry about. Once she reaches the Intermediate War God Level, she can use a Millennium Willow Heart and naturally advance to the High-level War God Level. As for the Planetary Level, that'll depend on luck."
That was what Hen Ren said, but with her experience breaking through, as long as Xu Ai reached the limit of the Apprentice Level for an Earthling's physical fitness, breaking through to the Planetary Level would happen naturally.
"Okay. I'll send someone to pick them up."
Hong nodded. Since Hen Ren had already made the arrangements as their master, he had nothing more to say.
"By the way, have you had any new insights in your cultivation lately?"
Hong then drew Hen Ren into a discussion about their insights into cultivation, especially the Domain.
Meanwhile, Xu Ai arrived at Mingyue Residential Quarter at Liu Ting's request.
Liu Ting had asked Xu Ai to accompany her to the Quasi-Warrior Assessment!
That's right. Liu Ting was going to take the Quasi-Warrior Assessment!
Her physical fitness had met the requirements long ago, but the practical assessment was held only once every six months, so there was no rush. Passing early wouldn't make her a Martial Artist any sooner, so waiting was fine.
After waiting two months, she'd finally asked Xu Ai to go with her.
"Hey, are you here yet? I've been waiting forever..."
"...Uh, almost."
Xu Ai was speechless, then asked,
"By the way, how strong are you, exactly?"
Liu Ting had kept her ability a secret all this time and refused to tell Xu Ai. There was nothing Xu Ai could do about it.
"You'll see in a minute."
Before you continue