Chapter 167: Apprenticeship Ceremony, Hong Shen's Disciple

Jiang Chen's current rank made Hong Jishi jump in surprise, and even Li Xueru's eyes widened.

Fast—it's just too fast.

Two-Star Second Lieutenant, Military Merit over 20,000—this news even startled Hong Jishi.

Jiang Chen originally came with Lin Caier; killing one Ordinary Demon yields only 50 Military Merit, so 20,000 Merit seems unbelievable.

20,000 Military Merit requires killing at least 400 Ordinary Demons.

Hong Jishi felt very curious about how he killed so many Demons.

Jiang Chen honestly explained: "I killed some High-level Demons."

High-level Demons—does that mean they can be killed just like that?

Killing even one is already hard, let alone some.

This concise answer made Hong Jishi burst out laughing.

Li Xueru also showed an interested expression: "Jiang Chen kid, tell us what happened."

Jiang Chen narrated his episode of blocking the gate and blasting Demons.

After hearing it, Hong Jishi laughed so hard he slapped his thigh.

"Too funny, you can still do that."

Hong Jishi excitedly said: "That Flame Demon King must be furious, failing to kill you twice—what a loss of face."

Li Xueru also expressed interest, and asked Jiang Chen for more details.

Jiang Chen then detailed his experiences in the Instance; Hong Jishi was thrilled after hearing it, while Li Xueru could barely hold back laughter.

Jiang Chen hummed: "Lord Hong Shen, Sir Li, in this Instance of the Three-number Battlefield World I encountered the Divine Mage Ning Wuxia."

Divine Mage Ning Wuxia!

Hong Jishi truly jumped up this time.

"What did you say? You said you met Divine Mage Ning Wuxia?" Hong Jishi said excitedly and emotionally.

Even Li Xueru at this moment

opened his eyes, looked at Jiang Chen, his gaze asking a question.

Jiang Chen recounted his experiences in the Instance again.

Li Xueru, after listening, turned to Hong Jishi with a face trying hard not to laugh.

Hong Jishi, irritated, gave him a cold stare: "If you want to laugh, go ahead; forcing it will hurt you."

Hahaha!

Li Xueru finally couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.

Usually composed Li Xueru suddenly laughed so brazenly, leaving Jiang Chen a bit puzzled.

"Turns out, in Senior Ning Wuxia's eyes, you're just a useless person," Li Xueru commented with a laugh.

Hong Jishi hummed and explained that when he first entered the Three-number Battlefield World Instance, his profession hadn't ascended yet, so Ning Wuxia looked down on him.

Jiang Chen also knows Ning Wuxia's standards for practitioners are extremely high; she'd rather keep precious items than give them to a useless person.

Ning Wuxia is a figure from many years ago, a time when Hong Jishi and Li Xueru were not yet born.

During his growth, Hong Jishi also visited the Three-number Battlefield World Instance and cleared Hell Difficulty.

And he cleared it completely.

But back then he wasn't alone; he teamed up with others for the Instance.

At that time the Divine Mage Ning Wuxia did not appear.

Perhaps Hong Jishi was the useless one in his eyes then.

Ning Wuxia once said she'd rather let things rot in her hand than hand them to a useless person.

Hong Jishi hummed: "It seems you also went to that Instance."

Li Xueru shook his head: "I never tackled Hell Difficulty."

Hong Jishi was so angry he fell silent.

His growth can be called a miracle, eclipsing everyone of his generation.

Even he hasn't been noticed by Ning Wuxia, showing how high her standards are.

Li Xueru extended his hand.

: "Give it to me."

Jiang Chen was startled, not knowing what to take.

Hong Jishi said: "Take out the Space Crystal; you wanted to make an Abyss Teleport Stone, right?"

"No need to go outside to find anyone; the best candidate is right here."

Jiang Chen let out a quick "Oh," instantly grasping Hong Jishi's meaning.

He immediately took out the Space Crystal.

Li Xueru took the Space Crystal, and a small Tower instantly appeared in his hand.

Shenlong Tower!

Jiang Chen was slightly surprised; the tower in Li Xueru's hand was the Shenlong Tower.

The Shenlong Tower slowly rotated in Li Xueru's palm, looking exquisitely beautiful.

Who would have thought the famed Shenlong Tower was in Li Xueru's hands.

Jiang Chen knew Li Xueru was formidable, on the same level as Hong Shen.

However, Li Xueru is low‑key; few know his profession.

He is even too afraid to use Detection Technique on Li Xueru.

A beam of light shot from the Shenlong Tower onto the Space Crystal.

Arcane runes appeared on the surface of the Space Crystal, then sank into the Space Crystal.

The Space Crystal began to change.

Its surface, once as clear as a gemstone, began to fade as if sealed, and finally took the appearance of a Teleport Stone.

It looked no different from an ordinary Teleport Stone.

But it can go straight to the Abyss World.

Li Xueru tossed the Abyss Teleport Stone back to Jiang Chen: "It's ready. I've embedded Human World coordinates inside; you can use it to travel between the Human Race and the Abyss."

"However, the spatial energy is limited; each use requires a one‑hour interval."

Where you teleport to the Abyss, you return to the same place.

It is a bidirectional Teleport Stone that can shuttle to and from the Abyss.

And only Jiang Chen can use it

— it is exceedingly precious.

"Thank you, Lord Li!" Jiang Chen said sincerely.

Hong Jishi said, "Keep that Talent Divine Stone; it'll be very useful at Third Transcendence. Also bring Ning Wuxia's staff; I'll look for someone to see if it can be repaired."

Jiang Chen immediately handed Ning Wuxia's staff to Hong Jishi.

It is a Mythic Weapon; if repaired, it will be extremely powerful.

The Human Race has few Mythic Weapons, so gaining another is significant.

Then Jiang Chen produced another item: "Lord Hong Shen, I have another request of you."

Ghost King Heart, as flawless as the finest Diamond.

When Jiang Chen obtained the Ghost King Heart, he was equally surprised.

He didn't expect the ominous BOSS to drop such a beautiful gem.

Hong Jishi wasn't surprised this time: "Ghost King Heart, you killed the Battlefield Ghost King, so you must have also gotten the Nirvana Soul Crystal, right?"

Jiang Chen nodded: "Five dropped in total—one went to Yi Ning, one to Lin Caier'er, and the remaining three are with me."

Hong Jishi also knew Yi Ning: "Heh, the Yi Family girl has big ambitions; she's been grinding at level 39 for over a year just for the Nirvana Soul Crystal."

"Profession Ascension isn't that easy, but with the Yi Family's ability, she has at least a sixty‑percent chance."

Li Xueru suddenly interjected: "What about your ability, Lord Hong Shen?"

"Naturally, it should be a bit stronger than the Yi Family…" He stopped mid‑sentence, and Hong Jishi suddenly fell silent.

"Lao Li, that's not fair."

Li Xueru said, "You said you'd compare with the old man; if you can't even do this, what can you compare?"

"I heard the old man has already taken that treasure out."

Hong Jishi showed an incredulous look: "Is it true?"

"Would I tell a lie?"

Hong Jishi took a deep breath: "I, Hong Jishi, have never been weaker than a human; if the old man pushes so hard, I'm not afraid of him."

"Jiang Chen, bring me two Nirvana Soul Crystals, and I'll prepare a second Job Change for you."

"I can't promise anything else, but I guarantee an eighty‑percent chance of Profession Ascension and a thirty‑percent chance of awakening a second talent during the second Job Change."

Jiang Chen was shocked; he'd never heard of such high probabilities.

Yi Ning only claimed a sixty‑percent chance of Profession Ascension and admitted she had less than ten percent chance of awakening a second talent.

Talent Awakening is already hard, and awakening a second talent is even harder, with the probability dropping geometrically.

Hong Jishi continued, "It's a pity you're on the second talent awakening; if it were the first, I'd be confident of a ninety‑percent chance for you to awaken the talent."

Jiang Chen pondered.

His talent comes from the system.

Does this count as his first awakening?

If not, then during the second Job Change, does he have a ninety‑percent chance to awaken the talent?

He felt a surge of excitement and anticipation.

If he truly succeeds, he might become the Three Talents Talented Profession that Ning Wuxia, the Divine Mage, spoke of.

In Human Race history, only one Three Talents Talented Profession has ever appeared.

He is very likely to be the second.

Jiang Chen watched Hong Jishi's pained expression, realizing that for his Job Change, Hong Jishi might have to pay a heavy price.

Add to that what Hong Jishi had previously done for him.

Jiang Chen felt deeply moved and respectfully bowed to Hong Jishi: "Thank you, Lord Hong Shen!"

"

Li Xueru shook his head: "Still call him Lord Hong Shen?"

He said that while glancing at the teacup on the table, hinting at something.

Hong Jishi sat upright and dignified, a rare sight of composure.

Jiang Chen immediately understood, lifted his teacup, and offered tea to Hong Jishi.

"Disciple Jiang Chen, greetings, Master."

Hong Jishi took the cup with satisfaction and drank it down in one gulp.

Jiang Chen refilled the cup and again bowed respectfully.

"Disciple Jiang Chen, greetings, Master."

Three bows, three cups of tea.

Jiang Chen offered three cups, and Hong Jishi drank three cups of tea.

From then on, he became Hong Jishi's true disciple.

Jiang Chen felt warmth in his heart, besides his grandmother, his sister, and Ning Cai Er.

The world now has another family member.

This teacher is not that teacher; the mentor is like a father, truly a family member.

"Not bad, you've worked hard these days; go back and rest well."

"We should set off for Hangcheng tomorrow; our university has already arranged accommodation there. Perform well in the Professional Competition and bring back a championship."

Jiang Chen nodded, "Teacher, don't worry."

Hong Jishi said, "Don't be careless; although you are strong, there are countless professionals in the world, and some might cause you trouble."

"A lion fighting a rabbit uses all its strength; disciple understands."

Hong Jishi liked Jiang Chen's attitude very much.

That's exactly what's needed—never be careless in the face of anything.

After Jiang Chen left, Hong Jishi showed a satisfied smile.

He was extremely satisfied with this disciple.

Li Xueru also smiled, "Now you're happy, aren't you?"

Hong Jishi snorted, "Happy? As if, I've spent all my years' savings now."

"Heh, saying one thing but meaning another."

Li Xueru knows all too well what sort of character Hong Jishi is.

Just looking at him

you can tell from his appearance that his heart is already bursting with joy.

Hong Jishi said, "I don't care; anyway you have to help me this time, we can't let the old man fall behind."

"Fine." Li Xueru did not refuse; regarding Jiang Chen, he was also very satisfied.

Li Xueru said calmly, "There's something Jiang Chen didn't tell you: he and Yi Ning fought for the Battlefield Ghost King, offended the Huangtian Guild, and killed the Young Guild Leader of the Huangtian Guild."

Hong Jishi frowned, "Why didn't this kid say? Huangtian Guild—I'll slap them to death with one hand."

Li Xueru shook his head, "He might want to handle it himself, or not trouble you; he has some ambition, that's good."

"Don't intervene; just act as if you don't know. What I'm telling you is not to make it public and not to cause trouble for your own disciple."

Hong Jishi shouted, "Do I look that foolish?"

Li Xueru gave no definitive answer, "More or less."

"What do you mean 'more or less'!"

Li Xueru fell silent, continuing to close his eyes and cultivate.

He paid no mind to the gloomy-faced Hong Jishi on the other side.

The two have been old friends; this has been their way of getting along for years.