A Bet is a Bet

Half an hour later, Chen Yuan and Luo Hai both exited the Virtual Space.

The moment he logged out, Luo Hai began to complain loudly: "No way, your 'Illusion Martial Artist Style' is too cheap! You only allow yourself to attack me, and I can't land a single hit on you!"

Chen Yuan smiled faintly: "There's no helping it. Your attacks are too powerful and your explosive speed is too high. If I didn't use such techniques, I wouldn't have a shred of a chance at victory."

Their conversation left the other two people in the room stunned.

Even the usually composed Universe Level martial artist, Di Fan, couldn't help but speak up: "Young Master, judging by your words, does this mean you lost the battle in the Virtual Space?"

"Yeah." Luo Hai nodded, holding up three fingers, "Three matches! I fought him for three whole matches, and I lost every single one!"

Hearing this, Di Fan was even more astonished: "That shouldn't be. From what I can see, your frontal advantage is overwhelming; your explosive power is more than three times his. How could you lose?"

"Exactly, Xiao Hai, how did you lose?" Wei Wen, standing to the side, was also full of shock. Although he had brought Chen Yuan here, he truly hadn't expected him to win.

"I just said it, didn't I? Chen Yuan developed a style called the Illusion Martial Artist Style." Luo Hai explained the mechanics of the style, then concluded, "I fought Chen Yuan three times, and every single time, his illusions caused my secret techniques to strike empty air, only for me to be silently assassinated at close range."

"Illusion Martial Artist Style? I've never heard of such a style. What about you, Di Fan?" Wei Wen asked, turning to Di Fan with a look of bewilderment.

Di Fan took a deep breath and shook his head: "My apologies, I have never heard of it either."

With that, Di Fan said to Chen Yuan: "I wonder if I might be allowed to witness this style?"

"I don't mind, but..." Chen Yuan hesitated for a moment before continuing, "My illusions are based on the strength of my consciousness. Only those with a consciousness weaker than mine are affected."

"If your consciousness is higher than mine, you remain completely unaffected," Chen Yuan explained. "Currently, my consciousness strength is at the entry level of the Planetary Level, so I can only affect martial artists below the Planetary Level."

"Planetary Level?" Di Fan's expression shifted as he carefully sensed Chen Yuan's aura. "Indeed, it is the Planetary Level."

Following this, Di Fan suddenly bowed to Luo Hai to apologize: "I am sorry, Young Master. I misjudged the opponent's strength, which led to your defeat."

Di Fan hadn't initially detected Chen Yuan's Planetary Level consciousness, so he felt quite self-reproachful, believing his lack of intelligence had caused Luo Hai's loss.

"Oh, Uncle Di, it has nothing to do with you." Luo Hai quickly helped Di Fan up.

"Since you lost, Xiao Hai, you should come with me to the Training Camp to broaden your horizons," Wei Wen interjected at the right moment, looking at Luo Hai with a smile.

"I am a man of my word; I'm willing to go with you," Luo Hai replied readily. "By the way, Uncle Wei, Chen Yuan will be coming to the Training Camp too, right?"

"Of course. The Global Headquarters replied to me last night, instructing me to bring Chen Yuan to the Training Camp on December 1st," Wei Wen said. "Today is already the 30th, so we must depart early tomorrow morning. Are you coming with me, Xiao Hai, or will you come on your own later?"

"Of course I'll go with you. I still want to spar with Chen Yuan more," Luo Hai said. Suddenly remembering something, he picked up one of the Consciousness Sensors from the table and shoved it into Chen Yuan's hand.

"Chen Yuan, keep this. Consider it a gift from me," Luo Hai said with a serious expression.

"This... wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Chen Yuan's expression was hesitant, though in reality, he knew the true value of the helmet and was dying to accept it immediately.

"Just take it. This thing isn't worth much in my family," Luo Hai waved his hand. "Besides, I'll need to spar with you often in the future, and you can't do that without a consciousness helmet."

Chen Yuan held the helmet, his gaze sweeping over Wei Wen and Di Fan. Seeing they had no intention of stopping him, he nodded: "Alright, then I will accept it. Luo Hai, you can come to me for a spar anytime."

"It's a deal, then." Luo Hai grinned.

Seeing this, Wei Wen stood up and said: "In that case, we will head back now. Xiao Hai, prepare yourself today; I'll come to pick you up tomorrow morning."

Seeing Wei Wen rise, Chen Yuan stood beside him, clutching the helmet, and nodded at Luo Hai.

"Goodbye, Uncle Wei. See you tomorrow, Chen Yuan." Luo Hai saw them out to the edge of the estate and waved goodbye.

Inside the Smart Fighter Jet, Wei Wen paced around Chen Yuan for a long time, clicking his tongue in wonder: "I really didn't expect you to actually pull it off, kid. Is that Illusion Style of yours really that powerful?"

He shook his head and added: "It's a pity my consciousness is already at the fourth stage of the Planetary Level, otherwise I'd really like to see it for myself, haha."

"Then I will work hard so that in the future, I can show it to the Inspector," Chen Yuan replied with a smile.

"Enough, why still call me Inspector? Just follow Xiao Hai's lead and call me Uncle Wei," Wei Wen patted Chen Yuan on the shoulder, his face full of smiles.

Chen Yuan changed his address accordingly: "Uncle Wei."

Wei Wen nodded with a smile and continued: "I have high hopes for your future. After all, you were able to defeat Xiao Hai while at the same cultivation level."

"You must know, even at the Planetary Level, Xiao Hai has already won against many others at his own level."

Chen Yuan rubbed his nose: "Just luck."

"Regardless of how you put it, being able to beat Xiao Hai proves your potential," Wei Wen sighed. "Once you enter the Training Camp, I fear you will soar to the heavens."

"Speaking of which, Uncle Wei," Chen Yuan's expression suddenly turned a bit shy as he rubbed his fingers together, "when will you fulfill the promise regarding that Wood Bud Crystal?"

"You brat, do you really think your Uncle Wei would covet your Wood Bud Crystal?" Wei Wen laughed and scolded. "But your strength is too low right now. If people found out you had a Wood Bud Crystal, even Planetary Level martial artists might come to rob you."

"So, let me keep it for you for now," Wei Wen patted Chen Yuan and said with a smile: "Once you become an Intermediate War God, come find me, and I will personally oversee you consuming it."

Wei Wen's tone was exactly like parents telling their child during the New Year: "Mom and Dad will save your red envelope money for you, and we'll give it to you when you grow up."

Chen Yuan wasn't in a rush; besides, he knew Wei Wen was telling the truth, so he nodded: "Alright, then I will come find you after I become an Intermediate War God."

Seeing that Chen Yuan showed no signs of impatience, Wei Wen felt a bit bored, thinking it would be better to go home and play with his son.

Before long, the two returned to Wei Wen's villa, the same place Chen Yuan had stayed the previous night.

Wei Wen dropped Chen Yuan off at the villa and gave him instructions: "I'll come to pick you up at 6:00 AM tomorrow, then we'll go pick up Xiao Hai together, and finally arrive at the Training Camp before 9:00 AM. Don't train too late tonight."

Chen Yuan nodded, watched Wei Wen's jet take off and leave, and then turned to walk into the villa.

Wei Wen's home wasn't here; this villa was merely one of the many properties he owned, and currently, only Chen Yuan was living in it.

Since it was still early, Chen Yuan didn't rush to start his cultivation. Instead, he turned his attention to the helmet in his hand.

30 seconds later, Chen Yuan entered the Virtual Space.

He looked into the distance, about several hundred meters away, where a massive tower stood, reaching into the clouds. The entire tower was covered in intricate carvings of various monsters, circling the pagoda. To the naked eye, one could vaguely distinguish that the tower had seven levels.

Chen Yuan knew that this was the second function of the Virtual Space: the Trial Tower, and it was the place he intended to challenge.

"I've been curious about the battles in the Virtual Space for a long time; today I finally have the chance to challenge it." Chen Yuan stood before the Trial Tower, gazing up at the structure that pierced the clouds, eager to try. "I hope that, just as described in the original records, the battles inside are intense enough to let me grind my proficiency."