First Arrival at the Luo Family

"Why don't you change your request?" Wei Wen's tone was somewhat guilty.

"You don't even have a Wood Bud Crystal?" Chen Yuan's tone was disappointed.

"What do you mean 'don't even have'? Do you think those are cabbages?" Wei Wen glared at Chen Yuan and said irritably, "Do you even know what a Wood Bud Crystal is used for, that you're asking for one?"

"I know. A Wood Bud Crystal can help an Advanced War God break through to the Planetary Level." Chen Yuan blinked innocently. He certainly knew the value of a Wood Bud Crystal, but he had to pretend he didn't, so he added, "Didn't various countries find quite a few of them in ruins ten years ago? Is that thing really so precious?"

His implication was that since many had been found on Earth before, they shouldn't be considered rare.

"Those were just isolated cases. As you said, they were found in ruins; to the people of Earth, they are non-renewable treasures." Wei Wen earnestly educated Chen Yuan, "You must understand, if a Wood Bud Crystal were placed in the universe, even Star Level powerhouses would fight tooth and nail for it."

"The so-called Star Level powerhouses are existences that transcend the Planetary Level."

"And on the entire Earth, apart from the Luo Family, there isn't a single Star Level powerhouse." Wei Wen looked at Chen Yuan with a helpless expression, "Now, you should finally understand how precious a Wood Bud Crystal is."

"I see." Chen Yuan nodded repeatedly, "So, even you, an Inspector, don't have one?"

"I... Hmph, of course I have one." Having already boasted, how could Wei Wen back down? Besides, he did indeed possess a Wood Bud Crystal.

However, as he said this, Wei Wen looked at Chen Yuan and suddenly fell into deep thought.

If this kid could really defeat Luo Hai, giving him a Wood Bud Crystal... it didn't seem entirely unacceptable.

Wei Wen knew that Luo Hai was being taught by a Universe Level powerhouse; his foundation was terrifyingly solid, his blade techniques and movement techniques had both reached the Perfect Level, and his power output was as high as 5.5 times.

As for Chen Yuan, his power output was only 3 times. Although he had mastered an Artistic Conception, it was difficult to bridge the gap brought about by raw power.

Therefore, in Wei Wen's view, it would be quite impressive if Chen Yuan could barely hold his own against Luo Hai. Win? It was almost impossible.

"So, what if I agree? This kid can't beat Xiao Hai anyway." Wei Wen stroked his chin and calculated, "Besides, if he really wins... then this kid is definitely a peerless genius. Using a Wood Bud Crystal to befriend such a genius doesn't seem like a loss."

"Consider it an investment." Thinking of this, Wei Wen said to Chen Yuan, "I can agree to the Wood Bud Crystal, provided you can actually defeat Luo Hai."

Chen Yuan, who had held no expectations, was surprised that Wei Wen actually agreed. His eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously: "Fine! Just wait and see tomorrow."

Thus, Wei Wen brought Chen Yuan back to Yangzhou City and arranged for him to rest at his home.

Early the next morning, Wei Wen took Chen Yuan to the castle where the Luo Family resided. The once most prosperous "West Lake Villa" district in Yangzhou now belonged entirely to the Luo Family.

"Mr. Wei." At the castle entrance, a bald man with thick lips had been waiting for a long time. He bowed slightly, then his gaze fell on Chen Yuan: "Is this the Earth genius Mr. Wei found?"

"That's right." Wei Wen patted Chen Yuan's shoulder casually, "Di Fan, what do you think of him? Can he beat Luo Hai?"

"He has a faint trace of Wind Artistic Conception... If placed on Earth, he counts as a genius, but in the universe, he is quite ordinary." Di Fan examined Chen Yuan carefully and shook his head, "With this level of strength, he won't last ten moves against the young master."

"Oh?" Wei Wen felt a chill in his heart upon hearing this assessment. He knew Di Fan's strength—a Universe Level 9 powerhouse! His judgment would naturally not be off.

However, Wei Wen glanced at Chen Yuan again and found his expression remained calm, seemingly unmoved by Di Fan's evaluation.

Wei Wen shook his head inwardly and decided to let him try anyway: "Regardless, I've brought the person here, so we must at least give it a try."

"Very well." Di Fan nodded, "However, the young master is still practicing his blade techniques. Please wait a moment."

Di Fan led them to a rest area and then left. Wei Wen leaned toward Chen Yuan and whispered, "Well? How much confidence do you have?"

Chen Yuan spoke the truth: "If Luo Hai is only at the level you described, my confidence is not low."

"But if he has cultivated some powerful secret techniques, then I cannot guarantee anything." Chen Yuan shook his head as he spoke. Seeing Wei Wen deep in thought, he added, "However, even if I am not his match, I won't be defeated easily."

Wei Wen assumed Chen Yuan was just trying to comfort him and smiled: "It's fine, don't feel pressured. Just give it your all."

The two waited for about half an hour before Di Fan reappeared, followed by a delicate-looking youth of sixteen or seventeen.

"Mr. Wei, the young master has arrived." Di Fan bowed slightly and then stood behind the youth.

"Uncle Wei! It's been such a long time since I've seen you. You never come to visit me." As soon as Luo Hai saw Wei Wen, he rushed over enthusiastically and gave him a hug.

"Alright, alright, look at how old you are now." Wei Wen laughed and patted Luo Hai, signaling him to let go, then pointed at Chen Yuan and said, "There, the Earth genius you wanted to see. I've brought him to you."

Chen Yuan, being pointed at, smiled slightly and introduced himself: "My name is Chen Yuan."

"You're the genius Uncle Wei mentioned?" Luo Hai walked up to Chen Yuan, looked him up and down, and nodded: "My name is Luo Hai."

"How old are you this year? What is your strength?" Luo Hai asked curiously.

"Intermediate War General." Chen Yuan replied with a smile, "I am currently 19 years old."

"You're two years older than me." Luo Hai nodded, then added, "But you're only an Intermediate War General? Is your cultivation too slow?"

As Luo Hai spoke, he looked at Wei Wen. Wei Wen added in a flat tone, "Chen Yuan only became a Martial Artist this June." The implication was that he had only been training for half a year.

Luo Hai let out an "Oh" and didn't say anything more.

"What, do you think he's too weak and don't want to fight him?" Wei Wen seemed to see through Luo Hai's thoughts and said deliberately.

Upon hearing this, Luo Hai immediately apologized with a smile: "What are you saying, Uncle Wei? How could I not give face to someone you brought?"

"Uncle Di, please get me two 'Consciousness Induction Helmets', the kind that only connects to the Earth regional network. I'm going to use them." Luo Hai immediately instructed Di Fan.

"Understood." Di Fan nodded and turned to leave.

"It's not that I look down on Earth's geniuses." Taking this opportunity, Luo Hai explained, "I know that my father, Uncle Hong, and Uncle Lei all walked out from Earth, which proves that we Earthlings only lack resources, not talent."

"The problem lies in the resources."

"Uncle Wei, you know that I became a War God Martial Artist when I was young. If it weren't for honing my foundation, I could have become a Planetary Level long ago."

"Over a dozen years of cultivation, learning various powerful secret techniques." Luo Hai said, "My true strength cannot be determined by those mere numbers on paper."

"Although I am currently only at the peak of the War God level, my force output is only 5.5 times."

"But when combined with the secret techniques taught to me by my teacher, my attacks can exceed ten times the force output, rivaling a second-tier Planetary Level."

"And you, Chen Yuan..." Luo Hai turned his head to look at Chen Yuan, his tone helpless, "I know you must be a genius, but after all, you come from Earth, have never been exposed to powerful secret techniques, and have only been cultivating for a mere half-year."

"It is not that I look down on you, but the gap between us is truly too vast. I am worried that after our battle ends, you will be too devastated."

"It is of no concern." Chen Yuan shook his head, "Feel free to attack. Being able to witness a powerful secret technique from the universe is a good thing for me."

"Furthermore, it is not as if I am unprepared." Chen Yuan smiled, "The Inspector already told me about your situation before coming here. The reason I still chose to come is because I have a certain degree of confidence."

"Oh?" Hearing Chen Yuan say this, Luo Hai's eyes lit up, "Since that is the case, then I shall wait and see."