Refusal

March 27th. Today is the last day of the month for Chen Daolin to head out and hunt monsters.

Shortly after five in the morning, Chen Daolin set out in high spirits. After going for a run with Ji Xuan and finishing breakfast, he packed his gear and joined over 90 other students in leaving the Training Camp, heading toward City 1001, located about 300 kilometers away, to hunt monsters.

The group walked toward the main gate of the Training Camp in twos and threes, chatting and laughing, when suddenly a sonic boom echoed. A blood-red triangular fighter jet appeared like a phantom above the main gate, drawing the attention of every student nearby.

"A fighter jet?"

"Whose jet is that? Why have I never seen it before?"

"The design of this jet is so cool."

The students, unaware of the situation, began to whisper among themselves.

Whoosh. At that moment, a figure suddenly flew over from inside the Training Camp. When he reached the main gate, Inspector Wang revealed himself. He flew rapidly toward the triangular blood-red jet and bowed slightly.

The students below were stunned.

"Inspector Wang bowed? He actually paid his respects to someone inside that triangular jet?"

"Inspector Wang is a being who has surpassed the God of War level. Even other inspectors from the Extreme Martial Arts Hall are only his peers... For him to bow voluntarily, unless the person inside is..." A white female student from the Training Camp thought of something, her eyes widening as she spoke in disbelief.

A low, majestic voice emanated from the blood-red triangular jet. "Inspector Wang."

"Master of the Hall." Inspector Wang said respectfully.

"Bring Chen Daolin over." The male voice from the jet was slightly gentle, yet still resonant and powerful.

"Yes." Inspector Wang replied respectfully. He flew over to Chen Daolin and flashed him a smile. "Student Chen Daolin, hello. It has been a long time." Inspector Wang's attitude toward Chen Daolin was even friendlier than before.

Chen Daolin felt a bit nervous; after all, the person before him was a being who had surpassed the God of War level, someone far more powerful than himself. "Inspector Wang, hello."

"The Master of the Hall wants to see you. Come with me." Inspector Wang said, getting straight to the point.

"The Master of the Hall wants to see me?" Chen Daolin was dazed. He was whisked into the sky by Inspector Wang and brought before the triangular blood-red jet. With a clatter, the hatch opened automatically. Inspector Wang said to Chen Daolin, "Go in. The Master of the Hall is inside," and pushed him forward.

Chen Daolin felt nervous. Standing at the hatch, he calmed his heart and looked into the interior of the jet. He saw two men sitting inside. One was 1.9 meters tall with a buzz cut, his back as straight as a spear, wearing black clothes that made him look like a young man in his twenties. The other was a bald young man in white robes, wearing a warm smile that brought peace to one's mind.

The black-haired youth glanced at him, and an indescribable, immense pressure surged toward Chen Daolin, as if the sky were collapsing and the earth sinking. Chen Daolin's mind went blank for a moment. He gritted his teeth, his body swaying slightly, but he managed to hold his ground without retreating.

"Not bad. Your willpower is decent." The corners of the black-haired youth's mouth curled up, seemingly revealing a trace of a smile.

The bald, white-robed youth sitting beside him suddenly spoke: "Chen Daolin, would you be willing to take me as your master? I am Thunder God."

The black-haired youth looked at his companion with a slightly speechless expression and shook his head slightly. He turned to the stunned Chen Daolin and said, "Chen Daolin, you should have guessed by now. I am Hong, and as he said, the one beside me is Thunder God. We came here today because we wanted to see you."

"See me?" Chen Daolin's heart was extremely nervous and anxious at this moment.

One had to realize that these were the world's number one and number two individuals—and not the kind who relied on nations or conglomerates, but those who were invincible through their own strength.

Facing such figures who stood at the absolute pinnacle of the world and could control his life and death at will, how could Chen Daolin not be nervous?

Hong scrutinized Chen Daolin and suddenly said, "Chen Daolin, your talent is excellent, and you are a member of our Extreme Martial Arts Hall. Would you be willing to take me as your master?"

"And me," Thunder God added with a smile from the side.

"I..." Although he had guessed the motive for Hong and Thunder God's sudden appearance, when the two actually asked to take him as a disciple, Chen Daolin's mind went blank, and he felt at a loss.

This feeling was like an ordinary person walking down the street when suddenly a billionaire runs up and says, "I am your long-lost father. Come back with me now and inherit my billions in assets."

A pie falling from the sky—that was roughly the feeling.

If an ordinary person were asked to be a disciple by Hong or Thunder God, they would have been overjoyed and excited, agreeing immediately.

However, Chen Daolin was still somewhat hesitant.

Should he really agree?

Becoming Hong's disciple naturally had many benefits. Being taught by the world's number one would make his future cultivation path smooth, and his chances of becoming a being beyond the God of War level would be much higher. Furthermore, with the backing of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, he could essentially walk sideways across the world.

Thunder God? Chen Daolin didn't consider him. He was a spear user, and with Hong, the world's greatest spear master, why would he go follow Thunder God?

Yet, Chen Daolin remained very hesitant. His goal was to surpass Hong and Thunder God, the two strongest beings in the world. Now, to take them as his masters made Chen Daolin feel as if he were "betraying" his own stance.

Hong and Thunder God saw the struggle and hesitation on Chen Daolin's face, and a trace of surprise appeared in their eyes. If it were anyone else, they would have agreed immediately upon hearing their offer. It was truly rare to see someone like Chen Daolin, who was still indecisive.

A few minutes later, Chen Daolin slowly let out a breath. He looked at Hong and Thunder God, his expression turning firm.

"I'm sorry, Master of the Hall, Lord Thunder God. I do not wish to take you as my masters."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Chen Daolin felt as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted, and his entire body felt light.

Hong said calmly, "Why? You should know that with guidance from me and Thunder God, your cultivation will be much faster and easier, and becoming a being beyond the God of War level will not be a dream."

Thunder God also looked at the youth, who still had a hint of immaturity on his face, with great interest.

Chen Daolin said calmly, "Because... I want to surpass the two of you."

The cabin went silent instantly.

Hong tilted his head to look at him, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

Thunder God blinked.

"Brother Hong, did you hear that? This little guy actually said he wants to surpass us?" Thunder God burst into laughter. "Little guy, you aren't very big, but your tone is quite bold. Even those who have surpassed the God of War level wouldn't dare say such things in front of us. In all these years, you are the first."

He clicked his tongue in admiration. "Not bad. Although you're a bit blunt, your courage is commendable."

Chen Daolin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. You're the one who's blunt. Your whole family is blunt.

Hong looked at Chen Daolin and seemed to smile. "Good, very good. Since that is the case, I will not force you. You may go back. I would like to see how far you can go in the future, and whether you can live up to what you said today."

Chen Daolin bowed slightly, turned around, and as the hatch opened with a clatter, he jumped off the jet.

"Brother Hong." Thunder God looked at Hong and smiled. "This kid is interesting."

Hong did not speak, merely watching the direction in which Chen Daolin had left. In his mind, however, that youthful face and those firm eyes lingered.