Contract

When his ranking hit 111, Chen Daolin had just cleared the first floor, bringing his Trial Tower level to 2.0 and his combat power amplitude to 8.0! He had just barely reached the standard for "excellent."

If not for his extremely low Battle Achievement Points (the lowest in the entire training camp), he would have already surged into the top 100 by now.

After passing the first floor, the target for stage a of the second floor was to kill 50 "Low-Level Beast General" Iron-Armored Scorpions within 10 minutes.

The Iron-Armored Scorpions were small in stature, allowing more than a dozen, or even over twenty, to attack a human simultaneously! Furthermore, their movements were bizarre and extremely difficult to deal with. The difficulty of this second floor, stage a, was several times higher than before.

Chen Daolin pushed himself to his absolute limit, fighting like a madman, and only managed to kill all 50 "Low-Level Beast General" Iron-Armored Scorpions by the skin of his teeth as time was running out. The process had been incredibly perilous; even now, Chen Daolin felt a chill just thinking about it.

If he had made even the slightest mistake, his trial would have ended the very next second.

With stage a being this difficult, Chen Daolin could not imagine how terrifying the subsequent challenges would be.

After the one-hour trial time concluded, Chen Daolin had passed the second floor, stage a test. His Trial Tower level became 2.3, and multiplied by his 4.0 fist force output level, his combat power amplitude reached 9.2!

His ranking shot into the top 100, landing at 97.

It's a pity. If my movement techniques were better and my spear skills a bit stronger, I might have been able to clear the second floor, stage b, Chen Daolin thought with a hint of regret.

Late at night, at 11:30, the Jiangnan Pavilion was brightly lit. Chen Daolin, Ji Xuan, Shi Jiang, and Zhao Ruo sat together drinking. Zhao Ruo said with a grin, "Junior Brother Chen, congratulations! You've truly become a celebrity in the training camp now."

Chen Daolin gave a wry smile. "Senior Sister, please don't tease me." The thought of the "enthusiastic" people he had faced right after coming down from the Nine-Layered Tower made his skin crawl.

Shi Jiang smiled slightly from the side. "I really didn't expect you to be so formidable, Junior Brother Chen. You've brought great honor to our Jiangnan Pavilion."

As she drank, Ji Xuan's eyes rested on Chen Daolin's plain face. This former companion of hers was becoming increasingly inscrutable.

Shi Jiang had extended an invitation to Chen Daolin on behalf of a certain organization within the Huaxia military, but Chen Daolin had declined. Shi Jiang didn't take it to heart.

By tonight, Chen Daolin had already turned down invitations from at least eight or nine different parties.

The next morning, when Chen Daolin went out for a run, many people on the roadside greeted him enthusiastically and tried to strike up a conversation. Two hot, bold white girls even dropped hints in their speech, leaving Chen Daolin feeling quite awkward.

Setting aside the troubles of fame, at noon, Chen Daolin met his teacher, Situ Bolei, again in the small martial arts practice hall. Situ Bolei was amazed that he had managed to break into the top 100. He knew his disciple's progress in spear techniques well and couldn't fathom how he had managed to climb so high. However, he also understood that everyone had their own secrets, so after a brief word of praise, he shifted the topic.

For instance, he mentioned that because Chen Daolin had performed so "excellently" this time, he would inevitably attract the attention of the higher-ups at the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, and they might make new arrangements for him.

In the Virtual Space, inside a large silver conference hall, six black chairs were arranged around a central silver round table. Five white-robed figures were already seated.

"Everyone, this is the data on Chen Daolin."

"His Trial Tower level is 2.3, and his fist force output level is 4.0, which means his combat power amplitude is 9.2. He counts as 'excellent,'" a white-robed man from Huaxia said.

"A 4.0 fist force output level? How did he manage that?" someone asked, puzzled. A combat power amplitude of 9.2 was only entry-level for "excellent," comparable to the average of a fourth-year veteran student. But that 4.0 fist force output level was too exaggerated; it was already the highest level in the Elite Training Camp. Most Gods of War didn't have an output level exceeding 3, which showed just how frightening Chen Daolin's output level was.

"Gentlemen," the Huaxia white-robed man said, "the Virtual Space test results cannot be wrong. The Master has already confirmed it."

Upon hearing the Master's name, the others fell silent.

"Does anyone still have questions about Chen Daolin's data?" The Huaxia white-robed man scanned the room.

"No," the other white-robed figures shook their heads slightly.

"In that case, let us begin discussing the terms for recruiting Chen Daolin..."

On September 30th, Chen Daolin was personally sought out by his teacher, Situ Bolei, who brought him to the residential area for God of War instructors in the Elite Training Camp to meet Inspector Wang, one of the five great inspectors of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall.

The Extreme Martial Arts Hall had five great inspectors, each of whom was a being that surpassed the God of War level, with power and status second only to the Master, Hong.

Inspector Wang was a lean, middle-aged man with a handlebar mustache. A single glance from him made Chen Daolin feel as though he were an ant facing a dragon—infinitely small.

Chen Daolin sat cross-legged opposite Inspector Wang.

"Take a close look at the contract in front of you. If there are no issues, sign it."

Chen Daolin picked up the contract on the table. This was the official recruitment contract for the Extreme Martial Arts Hall. Once Chen Daolin joined, he would be bound by the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, but he would also gain immense benefits. The annual activity budget alone was 5 billion Huaxia coins. However, the third page contained something else entirely.

"If Party B achieves a combat power amplitude of 12 before January 1, 2057, they shall receive a full set of Grade 9 combat gear and weapons, a full set of any secret manual, and one portion of Dragon Blood valued at 80 billion."

"If Party B achieves a combat power amplitude of 12 between January 1, 2057, and May 1, 2057, they shall receive a full set of Grade 9 combat gear and weapons, and one drop of Jade Marrow valued at 30 billion."

"If Party B achieves a combat power amplitude of 16 before August 1, 2059, they shall receive a full set of SS-grade combat gear and weapons, one portion of Dragon Blood valued at 80 billion, any three full sets of secret manuals, and one 'Black God' set from the Ancient Civilization ruins."

There were five clauses in total, and behind the rewards for each clause lay a staggering amount of money.

For example, a full set of Grade 9 combat gear and weapons—the kind used by high-level Gods of War—was something Chen Daolin had researched before; even at half-price on the internal network of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, the cost was terrifying. As for the choice of secret manuals, that went without saying; the full set of World Destroyer that Chen Daolin was practicing cost a full 50 billion even at half-price. And the legendary Dragon Blood, which could double one's strength, was worth as much as 80 billion.

Chen Daolin calmed his shocked heart and took a deep breath. "Inspector, I would like to ask: regarding these reward clauses, is it possible to exchange a treasure of equal value for the Water of Life, which is worth 30 billion?" Chen Daolin asked with trepidation. He could never forget the sight of Ji Han sitting dejectedly in her wheelchair; in his eyes, Ji Han was his younger sister. Chen Daolin had searched the martial artist internal network and knew that the Water of Life could regrow severed limbs. In other words, Ji Han could use it to grow her legs back. Unfortunately, Chen Daolin had never been able to find where the Water of Life was sold, so he could only try his luck with the Extreme Martial Arts Hall now.

"You want the Water of Life that badly?" Inspector Wang looked at him.

"Yes," Chen Daolin nodded.

Inspector Wang pondered for a moment and smiled slightly. "If you can truly achieve the goals set out in the contract, I can make the decision to help you exchange it."

"Really? Thank you! Thank you, Inspector!" Chen Daolin said gratefully.

Inspector Wang said calmly, "Would I lie to a junior like you? Wait until you achieve it first. Now, do you have any other questions about this contract?"

"No." Chen Daolin did not hesitate and signed his name.