After leaving the Virtual Universe, Chen Yuan took a shower to wash away the black grime expelled by his body's transformation. Once dressed, he slung on his backpack and called Jiang Fang.
"What? You're taking leave again?" Jiang Fang asked in surprise over the phone. "What are you going to do this time?"
"Teacher Jiang, my strength has already reached Intermediate War God level. Soon, I'll be able to break through to Planetary Level by taking a Wood Bud Crystal," Chen Yuan said. "Before that, I want to make a trip to Ancient Civilization Ruin No. 9."
That was right. After investigating for some time, Chen Yuan had learned that Ancient Civilization Ruin No. 9 was still open and continued to produce Black God Sets.
"What? Ancient Civilization Ruin No. 9?!" Jiang Fang's tone immediately turned grave. "Why would you want to go there? You should know that ruin isn't completely safe. War God Level Martial Artists who enter have at least a thirty percent death rate."
"I know the risks, Teacher Jiang, but I have a reason I must go," Chen Yuan said firmly. "Besides, my Gale Sword Art has reached Completion Level. You should know what that means."
"Gale Sword Art at Completion Level..." Jiang Fang repeated softly. As Chen Yuan's instructor, she knew very well what kind of strength that represented.
With the tremendous attack power of fivefold force and movement speed comparable to the Planetary Level, Chen Yuan had pushed every aspect of himself to the limit at the Apprentice Level. Even on Earth today, few people could achieve such a combination.
In Jiang Fang's judgment, even if Luo Hai went all out now, he might not necessarily be Chen Yuan's match.
That was why Chen Yuan had told her this: to show that his strength was no longer afraid of the dangers within the ruins.
After pondering for a moment, Jiang Fang ultimately approved his leave.
"Then I'll have to trouble you with one more thing, Teacher. Please help me reserve entry clearance for Ruins No. 9 through the dojo. I want to leave as soon as possible," Chen Yuan requested over the phone.
In theory, any War God Level Martial Artist qualified to enter the ruins. But times had changed. As the only ruin on Earth that produced Black God Sets, it still attracted countless War Gods despite its thirty percent death rate.
After all, although Black God Sets could now be purchased from the universe, even many Planetary Level Martial Artists in the universe could not afford Force Suits, much less Apprentices. Even saving for a lifetime would be nowhere near enough to buy one.
Therefore, while Black God Sets were nothing much to Earthlings at Planetary Level and above, they remained extraordinarily precious treasures to War God Level Martial Artists. Especially after Luo Feng gifted Purple Light Dew to Earth, the number of War God Level Martial Artists had surged dozens of times over, forcing the dojo to strictly control entry qualifications for Ruins No. 9.
Although Chen Yuan would certainly be approved as long as he applied under his status as an Elite Training Camp student, the process would still take time. With help from a Training Camp instructor, he could skip many cumbersome procedures and greatly improve the efficiency.
"You brat... Fine. Wait for my news." Jiang Fang laughed and scolded him lightly before hanging up.
Chen Yuan waited patiently. About an hour later, Jiang Fang called back. "Your ruin entry qualification has been approved. A group of Martial Artists will be entering the ruins tomorrow."
"Tomorrow morning, go directly to the Global Headquarters of the Limit Dojo in Hongning Base City to gather. A Smart Fighter Jet will take your group of Martial Artists to Ruins No. 9."
"Understood. Thank you, Teacher Jiang," Chen Yuan said politely.
With the ruin qualification secured, Chen Yuan was not particularly excited. He had already packed everything.
Since Black God Sets were prohibited within Ruins No. 9, Chen Yuan left his in the basement beneath the attic. He then departed the Training Camp and headed for the main urban district of Hongning Base City.
That evening, Chen Yuan found a hotel near the Limit Dojo headquarters. Then, through his Auxiliary Optical Brain, he entered the Virtual Space Trial Tower.
That was right—he entered through the Auxiliary Optical Brain rather than the Consciousness Induction Helmet.
After all, the Auxiliary Optical Brain was a more advanced virtual device than the helmet. It was even connected to the Virtual Universe's main network, so linking to the Virtual Space of the Earth Regional Network was naturally effortless.
Chen Yuan spent the entire night in the Trial Tower. He had already reached the fifth floor and rapidly cleared stages A and B.
The monsters on the fifth floor of the Trial Tower were called Silver Moon Dire Wolves, also known as Hunters. They were famous monsters, known for their high attack power and speed. Every one of them was a natural assassin, ranking among the strongest solitary monsters.
But they posed no threat to Chen Yuan at all. No matter how high a Silver Moon Dire Wolf's attack was, it was useless if it could not hit him. And no matter how fast they were, could they really be faster than him?
Thus, even when facing one hundred and two hundred Silver Moon Dire Wolves in stages A and B, Chen Yuan felt no pressure as long as he could break through their defenses. One sword per wolf, and he passed with ease.
However, from the third stage onward, things became troublesome. Most importantly, these monsters no longer charged at him all at once like in the previous two floors. The Silver Moon Dire Wolves in stage C coordinated perfectly and had even learned guerrilla tactics. They spread out, retreating whenever Chen Yuan attacked, while other monsters circled behind him for sneak attacks.
As a result, Chen Yuan's score stalled again. When time ran out, his Trial Tower level was fixed at 5.7.
After a full night, Chen Yuan's Trial Tower level remained unchanged. Seeing that the gathering time was approaching, he could only leave the Virtual Space, collect his things, and head to the headquarters.
The Global Headquarters of the Limit Dojo was a magnificent structure shaped like an ancient giant spaceship. After Chen Yuan entered and identified himself, a staff member led him to a lounge.
Chen Yuan looked around roughly and found eight people resting and waiting inside. Four were of Chinese descent, three were white, and one was Black.
These people were all quiet. It was obvious that they did not seem to know one another. They sat silently in their seats, waiting. Even when they saw Chen Yuan enter, they merely nodded in greeting and did not come forward to make conversation.
Chen Yuan was happy with that. He casually found a seat and sat down. But before long, a handsome young man around thirty entered, clapped his hands, and said, "Perfect. All nine of you are here. Follow me."
So I was the last to arrive? Chen Yuan was slightly startled. He quickly rose from his seat and followed the young man out of the lounge.
As they walked, the handsome young man introduced himself. His name was Liu He, an inspector of the Limit Dojo and the leader assigned to take them to Ancient Civilization Ruin No. 9.
"So he's Liu He?" Chen Yuan had encountered another character from the original work. Curious, he quietly released his Power of Mind and sensed everyone's life force.
"Huh? These people are all Advanced War Gods. I'm the only Intermediate War God." Chen Yuan was surprised that his strength was actually the lowest. But on second thought, given the fame of Ruins No. 9, there were surely no shortage of War Gods applying for entry. Naturally, the dojo would select the best among them.
Without his status as an Elite Training Camp student, it probably would not have been so easy for Chen Yuan to obtain entry qualification.
Chen Yuan quietly sensed Liu He's aura as well, inwardly shocked. That life force is at least Planetary Level eighth stage, perhaps even at the peak. Are Limit Dojo inspectors all this powerful?
When he had faced Inspector Wang before, Chen Yuan's Consciousness Strength had not been sufficient to determine the other man's level. But now he knew: Inspector Wang was no weaker than Liu He and was likely a Planetary Level Peak existence as well.
Inspector Liu He was completely unaware of Chen Yuan's probing with the Power of Mind. He led the group to the airfield, where they arrived before a dark red triangular fighter jet. As the hatch opened, everyone filed inside.
Whoosh! The Qiankun-class Fighter Jet took off and soon flew toward Ancient Civilization Ruin No. 9.
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