"Take care of a child?" Chen Yuan asked doubtfully, wondering inwardly if it might be Wei Wen's child. That was possible.
Although the original novel had never mentioned it, Wei Wen must have married and had children on Earth. If so, his child should have been about Chen Yuan's age.
So Chen Yuan guessed that perhaps Wei Wen's child was about to enter the Training Camp and needed someone to look after him.
Thus, Chen Yuan asked, "The child you want me to take care of—is he your child, Inspector?"
"My child? No, no, no." Wei Wen hurriedly waved his hands. "I married late. My child is still young; it isn't time yet."
"He's my friend's child." Wei Wen hesitated slightly before continuing. "His surname is Luo. You should understand what that surname means."
"Lord Luo Feng's son?" Chen Yuan suddenly understood. Luo Feng's son, someone who practiced martial arts—then it could only be Luo Hai.
He was an unlucky kid too. Chen Yuan remembered that because Luo Hai had been born too early, before Luo Feng had risen to prominence, his bloodline was not particularly strong and his talent was average.
Luo Hai loved martial arts. With Luo Feng supporting him, his cultivation had gone smoothly enough, but due to his talent, his ultimate achievements had not been high. Even by the end of the novel, he had failed to become a Universe Lord and was only a Universe Venerable.
Chen Yuan remembered Luo Hai so clearly because Luo Hai had also appeared in Lord Snow Eagle, where he met that book's protagonist, Dongbo Xueying.
"Yes, his name is Luo Hai. He's A-Feng's youngest son and likes martial arts." Wei Wen briefly introduced Luo Hai's situation. "Xiao Hai is seventeen this year. He has the strength of an Advanced War God, a 5.5-fold force exertion, and his saber techniques and movement techniques have both reached the 'Perfect Level.'"
"Seventeen, and an Advanced War God?" Chen Yuan asked in surprise.
Wei Wen thought Chen Yuan was amazed by Luo Hai's talent and was about to explain when Chen Yuan continued, "As Lord Luo Feng's son, shouldn't he have already reached Planetary Level instead of still lingering below it?"
Given Luo Feng's wealth, nurturing a Planetary Level powerhouse would have required practically no effort. Wei Wen himself had relied on resources provided by Luo Feng to become a Planetary Level powerhouse with ease.
And Luo Hai was Luo Feng's son. Chen Yuan had thought he would have reached Planetary Level long ago. Who would have expected him to be only a War God?
"Uh..." Since Chen Yuan's reaction differed from what he had expected, Wei Wen found himself unable to say what he had prepared. After pausing, he explained, "Actually, Xiao Hai was raised to Advanced War God level from childhood."
"But this child is devoted to martial arts, so he wants to rely on his own efforts to break through to Planetary Level."
"Because he used too many treasures to improve his strength as a child, Xiao Hai's control over his body is not very good. Even now, his force exertion is only 5.5-fold."
"And if he wants to become Planetary Level on his own, then even with the Luo Family's secret techniques, he must raise his Force Exertion Level to '7.'"
"You may not know about this because you haven't used treasures to raise your strength." Wei Wen explained, "Some treasures can increase one's strength, making breakthroughs to War General or War God extremely easy, without damaging one's potential. It looks perfect."
"However, improving one's physical constitution also weakens one's control over the body. In other words, one cannot control one's own strength."
"So those who use large quantities of treasures to raise their realm will inevitably have a Force Exertion Level below average. They must spend a great deal of time regaining control of their bodies—like me." Wei Wen gave a bitter laugh and pointed at himself. "Don't be fooled by the fact that I'm now a fourth-stage Planetary Level powerhouse. In actual combat, I can't even beat Zhou Zhengyong, and he's only second-stage Planetary Level."
"You may not understand how great the gap is between Planetary Level fighters." Wei Wen gave an example. "The difference between him and me is equivalent to the gap between an Elementary War General and an Intermediate Warrior, yet through force exertion techniques, he can display strength beyond mine."
"That is the consequence of focusing only on raising one's realm." Wei Wen concluded, then looked at Chen Yuan. "Now you understand why Xiao Hai still hasn't broken through to Planetary Level, right?"
Chen Yuan nodded. So Luo Hai's talent really was quite average. After cultivating for more than ten years, his Force Exertion Level was only 5.5.
Of course, if he wanted to, he could use treasures to rise to Planetary Level at any time. Luo Hai was merely still hung up on the fact that his force exertion had not improved.
Perhaps that was the trouble of being fortunate.
But Chen Yuan had another question. "Logically speaking, the Luo Family shouldn't lack powerhouses. Why would Luo Hai still go to the Training Camp to cultivate?"
"The Luo Family does not lack powerhouses. A-Feng's servants alone could sweep across all of Earth." Wei Wen shook his head. "But precisely because the actual gap is too enormous, no matter how desperately Xiao Hai cultivates, in the eyes of the teachers guiding him, he is still rather mediocre."
"Over time, Xiao Hai's self-esteem was affected, and he began to doubt whether he should continue down this path." Wei Wen said, "So Xiao Hai's elders decided to let him gain experience at the Training Camp. With his strength, he will be among the best there, which should make it easier for him to rebuild his confidence."
"I see." Chen Yuan understood. He pointed at himself. "So you mean for me, an Intermediate War General, to take care of a War God?"
Chen Yuan wondered what qualifications he had for an Intermediate War General to look after a War God.
"Oh, perhaps you misunderstood what I meant." Wei Wen said with a smile. "By taking care of him, I don't mean protecting him. Your duty is not to be his bodyguard, but to approach Xiao Hai as an 'Earth genius' and make him acknowledge the level of the Elite Training Camp."
"You mean Luo Hai looks down on the Training Camp?" Chen Yuan asked doubtfully. "But you also said he suffered setbacks and began questioning his own talent."
"There is no contradiction." Wei Wen explained, "Xiao Hai received martial arts education from the elites of the universe, so it is normal for him to suffer setbacks. But because of that, he also looks down somewhat on Earth's education and believes going to the Training Camp would waste his time."
Chen Yuan understood somewhat. After thinking it over, he said, "So you want me to approach Luo Hai to prove the level of Earth's geniuses and remove his resistance toward the Training Camp?"
"Besides that, you must become Xiao Hai's friend. During his time at the Training Camp, you will be responsible for guiding him. You cannot let other people lead Xiao Hai astray," Wei Wen added.
Chen Yuan understood. So he was basically being asked to accompany the crown prince in his studies.
"So your strength cannot differ too greatly from Xiao Hai's. When I recommend you to him, there may be another test."
"What kind of test? Don't tell me you want me to fight Luo Hai?" Chen Yuan blinked. Him, fighting Luo Hai?
Wei Wen nodded, then shook his head. "There will be a battle, but not one in reality."
"Not in reality?" Chen Yuan had already understood what he meant, but did not show it.
"It will be a battle in the Virtual Space, where both sides have the same strength, speed, and neural reaction." Wei Wen explained, "Therefore, what is compared in battle is each side's force exertion techniques, secret technique power, comprehension of realms, and other factors. It is considered a relatively fair way to fight."
"In that case, I have no problem with it." Chen Yuan nodded. He compared the gap between himself and Luo Hai inwardly and felt that his chances of winning were not small. Then he asked, "If I beat him, will that have any impact?"
"You win?" Wei Wen stared at Chen Yuan, his face full of surprise and faint amusement. "Of course you can. Rather, if you can defeat Luo Hai, that would be a great thing. Once he sees the level of Earth's geniuses, he will no longer resist going to the Training Camp."
"And you will find it easier to gain Xiao Hai's approval and become his friend."
"How about this? If you can win, I can grant you one condition." Wei Wen had seen Chen Yuan's strength and sincerely believed that he could not possibly be Luo Hai's opponent, so he spoke with complete confidence.
"Oh? Any condition?" Chen Yuan's eyes lit up.
"Don't worry. As long as it is something I can do, just name it." Wei Wen patted his chest in assurance.
"Then... I want a treasure. Is that alright?" Chen Yuan asked cautiously.
"A treasure? Haha, treasures of all kinds are what I lack least." Wei Wen was brimming with confidence. "Just say it. As long as you can beat Xiao Hai, I can agree to anything."
Seeing how confident Wei Wen was, Chen Yuan felt reassured.
So he boldly raised one finger. "How about one Wood Bud Crystal?"
Wei Wen's expression froze.
Before you continue