Going Home

"Basic Training Camp? Elite Training Camp?" The true Oscar-winning actor Guan Ning went online.

Seeing Guan Ning's bewildered expression, Yu Sen smiled and said, "Guan Ning, it's normal that you don't know. Limit Martial Hall has two major training camps: one is the 'Basic Training Camp,' and the other is the 'Elite Training Camp.' The 'Basic Training Camp' selects talented warriors from across the globe, signing them to 'Special Grade Training' contracts to receive the best instruction. As for the 'Elite Training Camp,' it is the world's premier training camp, also known as the 'God of War Preparatory Camp.'"

"Across the entire world, Limit Martial Hall possesses these two camps, and Thunder Martial Hall possesses the same... However, it is indisputable that the Elite Training Camp of Limit Martial Hall is ranked number one in the world! Even the world's strongest, Hong, occasionally goes there to teach. Even Gods of War find it difficult to receive guidance from Hong, yet in this Elite Training Camp, one has the chance!"

"The Elite Training Camp is where our Limit Martial Hall cultivates talented warriors. Everyone who enters is the most monstrous, freakish genius in the world. Even for the Huaxia Nation, only one person can enter each year."

"That impressive?" Although he had known this for a long time, Guan Ning still felt shocked when he heard it for real.

The entire Huaxia Nation had a population of over one billion, yet only one person was qualified to enter each year?

What was one in a thousand or one in ten thousand compared to this? It was nothing.

Feng Xiong of Thunder Martial Hall couldn't stand the sight of Guan Ning, sneering, "Old Yu, this kid is lucky if he can even enter the Basic Training Camp. Thinking about the Elite Training Camp? That's just wishful thinking!"

"Haha..." Yu Sen knew what Feng Xiong said was true. He had only been laughing it off earlier to keep a talent like Guan Ning, so he chuckled, "Guan Ning, don't listen to his nonsense. With your conditions, if you work hard for another year or two, you will definitely be able to enter the Elite Training Camp."

Guan Ning had self-awareness regarding the Elite Training Camp; with his current strength and aptitude, he wasn't quite there yet, but as his soul transformation deepened, that day would eventually come.

"Elite Training Camp... God of War Preparatory Camp..."

But to avoid raising suspicion, Guan Ning could only display a look of mixed envy and regret.

"Alright, Guan Ning, you don't need to be envious. With your current strength and age, who knows? You might just barely make it in!"

Seeing Guan Ning looking a bit dejected, Yu Sen offered some comfort.

"That's true, after all, he's only 17 years old! It really is enviable!"

Even Feng Xiong, standing to the side, couldn't help but click his tongue when he thought of Guan Ning's age.

"Many thanks, Supervisor Yu, Supervisor Feng. This humble one understands."

Guan Ning also displayed a look of realization at the right moment; he was truly exhausted.

"You are lucky. Special Envoy Yang from headquarters happens to be in Jiangnan these few days. You can take the assessment once you return. Go and rest for now; we will notify you when the time comes." Yu Sen waved his hand, signaling for Guan Ning to leave.

"Understood, Supervisor."

"Guan Ning, wait a moment. Since Limit Martial Hall has already given you a Special Grade contract, I won't say much more, but I hope you can look out for the country in the future."

Just as Guan Ning was about to leave, the officer who had been sitting to the side spoke up.

Seeing that Yu Sen had no particular reaction, Guan Ning spoke solemnly, "Chief Wang, rest assured. This humble one is a citizen of Huaxia, and as long as it is within my power, this humble one will not shirk the duty."

"Good, good, good."

Upon hearing this, Chief Wang laughed heartily.

At noon on March 2nd, Guan Ning, Wang Cang, Li Ze, and the others returned to the Ginkgo Residential District in Suzhou City. The entrance to the district was already crowded; every Warrior Combat Assessment was a lively affair.

Wang Cang's parents and family, Li Ze's parents and brother, and the relatives and friends of the others were all standing at the entrance. Passersby who learned the news offered their congratulations, leaving them all beaming from ear to ear.

Before long, they saw the group Guan Ning was walking with.

"Little Cang. It's good that you're back safe."

"Little Ze, not bad at all."

"Brother..."

"Sister..."

"Let's go, let's head back. We've already prepared a meal at home, just waiting for you all to return and celebrate."

Watching his companions surrounded by their families in such a warm and harmonious scene, and listening to the inquiries and concerns of those around them, Guan Ning felt a sudden wave of loneliness and emptiness.

Mom, Dad, I succeeded. If you could see this, you would surely be even happier.

Guan Ning wiped the tears from his eyes and left the place alone, filled with a sense of desolation.

"Little Ning, Little Ning..."

Lost in his solitude, Guan Ning vaguely heard someone calling his name. He turned his head in confusion, and upon seeing the figures walking toward him, a smile appeared on his face.

Even though Mom and Dad are gone, there are still people who care for and look after me. This feeling is truly good.

"Uncle Zhong, Aunt Xue, why are you here?"

"We knew you were coming back, so we came to welcome you," Zhong Liang said.

"I don't know what was wrong with you; we were calling you just now, but you didn't hear us, just kept your head down and walked forward. Are you alright?" the young man beside him asked with concern.

This was Zhong Liang's son, Zhong Xuan, who was twenty years old this year. Although there was a three or four-year age gap, Guan Ning had always been steady, so their relationship was excellent, comparable to biological brothers.

"Yo, shouldn't a graduate student be in class right now? Why are you here? Don't tell me you're skipping class?" Guan Ning teased as he looked at Zhong Xuan.

Although Zhong Xuan was already twenty, he was only a high-level trainee. His talent for martial arts wasn't great, but perhaps influenced by Guan Ning, he studied quite diligently. Plus, he had been a high-level trainee during the college entrance exam and had successfully been admitted to the Jiangnan First Military Academy, which was a promising future.

"Look at that, look at that. He's not even in school anymore, he can't even remember if it's Saturday or Sunday. Truly, a noble person forgets things easily!"

Zhong Xuan didn't back down, firing back immediately.

"Alright, alright. You two, give it a rest." Seeing the two bickering, Aunt Xue had to interrupt them. After all, once these two started, they would argue until who knows when, each insisting they were right. She decided to cut them off.

"Today is a big day. Little Ning, come to our house today. We'll have a good drink and hold a welcome feast for you," Zhong Liang continued. "Xiaoxue, we'll eat at home today, let's make it lively."

"Alright." A pretty young girl standing next to Aunt Xue glanced at Zhong Xuan and said it generously.

Guan Ning laughed, "Understood, Uncle Zhong."

The group of five chatted and laughed all the way home.

Guan Ning pulled Zhong Xuan to the back and smirked, "Tell me, what's the deal with her?"

He dragged out the end of his sentence, gesturing with his eyes toward the young girl walking ahead with Aunt Xue.

"What else could it be? My girlfriend, obviously."

Zhong Xuan, who was usually thick-skinned, actually blushed for once.

"Oh, oh, oh! After all these years, this is the first time I've seen you act shy," Guan Ning chuckled.

"How long have you two been dating?"

"About a year, I guess."

"A year? You kept that well-hidden. Why are you finally willing to bring her out now?" Guan Ning gossiped while pondering, then suddenly thought of something and asked suspiciously, "You didn't plan on meeting the parents and having her over for dinner all along, did you?"

Hearing Guan Ning guess his little scheme so easily, Zhong Xuan immediately panicked. He checked to make sure the girl ahead hadn't heard and whispered, "Keep your voice down, don't let Xiaoxue hear you."

Guan Ning hadn't expected to hit the nail on the head. He looked at Zhong Xuan with surprise; he hadn't expected such a thick-browed, big-eyed guy to be so calculating. Deciding to tease him, he said, "You guessed early on that Uncle Zhong would invite me to dinner, and that Xiaoxue wouldn't refuse out of politeness. Zhong Xuan, you really are something."

"I... keep your voice down." Zhong Xuan wanted to curse, but remembering he still needed a favor, he had to swallow his pride.

"I'll think about it," Guan Ning said, leaving him with that before trotting off to find Zhong Liang.

"This kid is getting craftier by the day. He actually guessed that—it's like he's possessed."

Zhong Xuan watched this scene and felt a headache coming on. Although he wanted to talk to Guan Ning more, Guan Ning was now too close to Xiaoxue, and she could easily overhear them. He had to let it go for now and quickened his pace.

That evening, after happily finishing dinner with the Zhong family and celebrating, Guan Ning left. Of course, he had extorted a small sum from them before leaving, and he couldn't help but smile at the memory of Zhong Xuan's pained expression.

Returning to his villa, he showered and changed into a loose, comfortable robe. He went to a room on the second floor and stared at the black-and-white portrait inside, feeling a sense of trance as if he could see his mom and dad smiling at him.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts, lit three sticks of incense, and knelt before the portrait, saying with emotion, "Mom, Dad, your son has become a warrior. Can you see me?"

As he spoke, a glimmer of moisture appeared in his eyes.

"I've made you worry. Mom, Dad, don't worry—I will take good care of myself."

After finishing, he stood up, placed the three sticks of incense into the burner, bowed respectfully, and left.

He sat comfortably on the soft sofa in the second-floor Training Room with a cup of hot tea, his mind drifting. He had been in this world for over a decade, enduring so much hardship, and now he had finally reached this point: becoming a true warrior.

Guan Ning snapped back to reality, looked at the night view outside the window, and smiled slightly, "I'm really looking forward to life as a warrior."

Once a warrior, one could access special networks, such as the Martial Artist Forum, which was restricted to warriors, and the Limit Home, accessible only to internal members of the Limit Martial Hall. As for the HR Alliance platform, any warrior could log in.

Guan Ning entered the URL for 'Limit Home' and verified his fingerprint. A personal page appeared on the giant screen, featuring his photo at the top, followed by a data table—

Name: Guan Ning

Gender: Male

Address: Huaxia Nation, Jiangnan Base City

Warrior ID Number: 423656205703010001

Rank: Warrior Level (Junior)

Contribution Points: 0

Currency Balance: 60,102,537

The final digits of the warrior ID number indicated that Guan Ning had passed the Warrior Combat Assessment on March 1, 2057, with the top score.