"Supervisor Zhuge."
He was so cautious, afraid that even the slightest misstep might offend the man. The supervisor, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, was clearly a senior leader at the Extreme Martial Arts Hall.
In Luo Zhe's usual circles, no one had ever been important enough to deal with someone of this stature.
Although he had a powerful cultivation cheat like the Dimensional Space, Luo Zhe's horizons were still rather limited. He was just a newcomer to the world of martial artists.
When dealing with someone who was practically a big shot in that world, he had to tread carefully.
Who knew what kind of temper the man had?
If Luo Zhe happened to catch him on a bad day, the man might unleash a whole string of attacks without warning and take him out. Luo Zhe's frail body couldn't handle that yet.
But Supervisor Zhuge seemed easy enough to get along with. He didn't put on any false show of concern. He simply maintained his air of authority and smiled and nodded at Luo Zhe.
Then his gaze shifted to Tong Yang beside Luo Zhe. Furrowing his brow, he asked, "What do you mean? Are you planning to give up, or do you have something else in mind?"
Tong Yang laughed heartily and waved a hand, replying cryptically, "Don't worry. It's the same as always."
Then he draped his right arm around Luo Zhe's shoulders and formally introduced him to Zhuge Tao again. "This is Luo Zhe, the new genius from Jiangdu District this year."
After the introduction for the second time, Zhuge Tao finally began to take Luo Zhe seriously. He scrutinized him closely, and only now did a sharp glint appear in his eyes as he looked at Luo Zhe, as if he could see right through the screen.
Under Zhuge Tao's knife-sharp gaze, Luo Zhe got goosebumps and nearly took off to escape his scrutiny.
But Tong Yang's right hand was like an eagle's talon, holding him firmly in place so he couldn't move an inch.
"Don't be so serious. Relax a little. He's still just a kid! With a look that scary, you'll frighten him off," Tong Yang teased.
Thanks to Tong Yang's banter, Zhuge Tao's gaze softened. Luo Zhe finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere was no longer as tense as before.
But Zhuge Tao still hadn't figured out why Tong Yang had contacted him. Was it really just for some insignificant genius?
At such a critical juncture, every move they made could affect the bigger picture. Did Tong Yang really not understand that?
At the thought, Zhuge Tao couldn't help feeling a little displeased.
But Zhuge Tao was a man who knew how to handle important matters. He didn't show his displeasure; instead, he calmly replied, "He certainly seems like a good kid."
Tong Yang had dealt with Zhuge Tao often, so he could tell from the slightest signs that the man was displeased. But he didn't bother explaining and simply continued on his own.
"Luo Zhe, male, 21 years old. He passed the Quasi-Warrior Assessment a few days ago."
At that, Zhuge Tao nodded. A 21-year-old Quasi-Martial Artist was decent, but nothing more.
"He's already completed his first session of Genetic Origin Energy cultivation. His punching force increased by nearly 5,000 kilograms! In testing, he managed to deliver a punch with nearly 6,000 kilograms of force!"
At that, Zhuge Tao's pupils instantly widened on the screen, and he rose to his feet without even realizing it.
"His speed has also reached 73.8 meters per second, and his nervous system reaction test results would rate as excellent even in an Advanced Warrior Level assessment! He's an absolute genius among martial artists!"
"Did you personally verify those figures?" Zhuge Tao asked urgently.
"I personally verified all the data. It's accurate!"
Zhuge Tao slumped back into his seat, his mind racing.
"Is Luo Zhe a student at the Extreme Martial Arts Hall? And does anyone else know about this?"
True to form as a supervisor, he reacted almost instantly, asking exactly the right questions.
"He used to be an advanced student in my Jiangdu District branch and had been training at our dojo. He only passed the Quasi-Martial Artist Assessment a few days ago. And right now, only the three of us know how strong Luo Zhe has become. The news hasn't leaked."
Only after hearing Tong Yang's reply did Zhuge Tao's worried heart finally settle a little.
Thank goodness. He was a little cabbage they'd grown in their own garden—and one nobody else had discovered yet. Looks like they could safely harvest him.
"Luo Zhe already agreed to join the Extreme Martial Arts Hall early, but..."
At the first part of that, Zhuge Tao nodded in satisfaction. Students trained by their own organization were the most reliable. At least they remembered who had helped them, and he could finally relax.
The cabbage was already in his mouth. How could it possibly get away?
But Tong Yang's "but" immediately stirred up Zhuge Tao's briefly settled nerves. He leaned forward and hurriedly asked, "But what?"
Apparently realizing that he'd gotten too worked up and was acting unlike a big shot, he gave a strategic cough to steady himself.
Tong Yang turned to look at Luo Zhe. Where Zhuge Tao couldn't see, he winked and mouthed, "Special Training Contract!"
Only then did he reply, "But Luo Zhe did make one request."
Zhuge Tao's gaze shifted between the two of them. He sensed that something was going on, but couldn't help speaking first, his tone eager as he practically thumped his chest while making Luo Zhe a promise:
"Luo Zhe, whatever you want, just ask. If it's within my power, I'll approve it! As long as you're willing to join our Extreme Martial Arts Hall, it won't be a problem!"
Luo Zhe looked at Tong Yang, who lifted his chin to tell him to say whatever he wanted.
No reason to pass up a chance to take a bite when the knife's already in your hand.
"I heard the Extreme Martial Arts Hall offers a Special Training Contract. That's what I want!"
"That's it?"
Zhuge Tao was taken aback. He turned to look at Tong Yang, as if seeking confirmation.
After Tong Yang nodded, Zhuge Tao let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness. No big deal.
Although Special Training Contracts were difficult to get—after all, there were only so many training slots each year—Zhuge Tao was confident that if they added a clause to Luo Zhe's contract stating, "His punching force increased by nearly 5,000 kilograms after his first Genetic Origin Energy cultivation session," no matter how strict the reviewer, they'd approve it!
As the head of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall's Jiangnan Base City branch, Zhuge Tao had seen all kinds of geniuses: sixteen-year-old mid-level Warriors and twenty-year-old Advanced Warriors. He'd seen plenty.
But he'd never heard of anyone whose punching force increased by nearly 5,000 kilograms after their very first Genetic Origin Energy cultivation session.
Even Hong and Thor, the extraordinary beings who had risen to Beyond War God-level in just a few years, probably hadn't reached Luo Zhe's level in the early stages of cultivation.
Most importantly, Zhuge Tao suspected that Luo Zhe might be an awakened Spirit Reader whose abilities hadn't manifested yet!
That increase in punching force was simply too absurd—more unbelievable even than the possibility that he was an unawakened Spirit Reader. In all his years since the Great Nirvana, Zhuge Tao had never encountered anyone like him!
Besides!
Whether or not Luo Zhe was an unawakened Spirit Reader, the talent he'd already displayed was more than enough to justify asking for a Special Training Contract.
"I'll approve that condition." Having made up his mind, Zhuge Tao agreed to Luo Zhe's request. Then he urged them, "Tong Yang, take Luo Zhe to the main city district right away. I'll arrange a reexamination now. I'll wait for you at headquarters."
Zhuge Tao was, after all, the head of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall in Jiangnan Base City. Luo Zhe and Tong Yang had only managed to trick him into offering a Special Training Contract because the news he'd just heard was so shocking, and because Tong Yang had clearly been taking Luo Zhe's side. That was how he'd fallen into their trap.
Now that he'd calmed down, he immediately arranged everything.
All that remained was for this little cabbage, Luo Zhe, to jump into his bowl!
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