Chapter 18

Well, I and Chén Chén still have things to settle, so I'll take him away first—everyone, keep eating and drinking happily!

Yúnshang spoke as she walked to stand among the few people.

Then she smiled at Chén Chén and said.

Let's go.

Jiāng Jiāng, standing aside, was gritting her teeth inside, but outwardly she remained calm and composed.

Chén Chén gave Jiāng Jiāng a reassuring glance, then followed Yúnshang out of the hall.

"Those few, continue—I won't disturb you." When Yúnshang left, she also didn't forget to bid farewell to the several big shots.

Yúnshang and Chén Chén left, and the several people in the hall also let out a long breath.

Although those several people were all big shots guarding a region, they were merely figureheads, their strength only that of high-ranking war generals; although they were called as having status comparable to a War God, they ultimately were not War Gods.

But Yúnshang is truly a War God, and among War Gods she is far from ordinary.

However, Yúnshang merely taking Chén Chén away caught Wang Héng's eye.

Earlier, having received the news, Wang Héng still thought that Chén Chén and Jiāng Jiāng, brother and sister, were both secretly cultivated by the World Tree.

After all, judging by their identities, they seemed related to the World Tree.

Unlike the well-informed Wang Héng and the others, the others thought they could get a bargain from Chén Chén and Jiāng Jiāng, while Wang Héng actually planned to pick up scraps and try his luck with Luofeng.

And Yúnshang's series of actions also gave Wang Héng another glimmer of hope.

And although the other few present didn't have Wang Héng's brainstorm, their choices gradually narrowed down to the last remaining person—namely, Jiāng Jiāng, who was left behind.

And as Comrade Jiāng Jiāng, a performer with acting talent maxed out, facing Yúnshang's 'snatching food from the tiger's mouth' behavior, her expression at this moment naturally—she couldn't keep a straight face.

It's obvious that Jiāng Jiāng had naturally cast Yúnshang in the role of Chén Chén's nonexistent 'fiancée'. Even if not, this face-to-face NTR behavior still made Jiāng Jiāng furious.

Having been well influenced by Chén Chén, Jiāng Jiāng had already begun to plot how to eradicate the root.

However, all this, in the eyes of the big shots in the hall, merely seemed that the two had deep feelings, and they didn't think much more.

After all, she's just a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl; such a degree of emotional willfulness is still acceptable to the big shots.

So, little sister Jiāng Jiāng, are you interested in joining our Thunder Martial Hall?

The other few furtively glanced at the burly Wang Héng; this guy really doesn't put on airs.

However, Wang Héng was also left with no choice; over these years, the Thunder Martial Hall's influence in the Jiangnan region has continually weakened, and adding to that, this time the Extreme Martial Hall produced three such monsters, leaving Wang Héng's psychology unbalanced to the extreme.

Face? What is that?

The other few hadn't yet lost face like Wang Héng to press Jiāng Jiāng further; after all, no matter how talented, talent alone isn't enough to truly grow into a standalone martial artist.

Moreover, which side this little guy will ultimately choose isn't something you can get by just lowering your stance; like Wang Héng losing his martial artist's dignity could actually backfire.

Of course, that won't happen with Jiāng Jiāng.

Joining any faction is fine for Jiāng Jiāng; what matters most is the slot in the 'God of War Training Camp'.

After all, that's why Jiāng Jiāng gritted her teeth and placed herself in such a 'dangerous' situation.

Therefore, Wang Héng's urgent action not only failed to backfire, but actually gave Jiāng Jiāng the judgment that it would be easier to set conditions with the Thunder Martial Hall.

Of course, to be safe, Jiāng Jiāng still put forward her conditions on the spot.

May I make a request?

Facing the many big shots, Jiāng Jiāng maintained a poised demeanor, unlike when she first participated in the quasi-martial artist assessment; this time she must display enough potential to become a martial artist.

This potential, aside from physical talent, also includes character and performance as bonus points, so Jiāng Jiāng can no longer keep that timid expression.

Those who had witnessed Jiāng Jiāng's performance in Monster Beast Town naturally found the little girl's composed demeanor to be a matter of course.

Only Wu Tong, standing in the corner, felt he was being acted upon. Of course, this is more than just a feeling.

"Hahaha, whatever request you have, feel free to raise it; I will certainly use my maximum authority to help you strive for it."

Wang Héng laughed loudly.

Understanding how to negotiate conditions didn't provoke Wang Héng's disgust; after all, this world is quite real, both parties being strangers, I intend to use benefits to secure this talent, and the other side being willing to discuss benefits with me shows there's a chance.

Seeing Jiāng Jiāng say that, Zhuge Tao, seated in the center, couldn't hold back and immediately coughed twice, saying: 'Whatever the Thunder Martial Hall can provide, we can also provide…'

Of course, the resources Zhuge Tao can currently mobilize are also limited; although the Extreme Martial Hall's actual strength is considerably greater than the Thunder Martial Hall's, when evenly distributed across regions this difference is practically nil.

Moreover, with Luofeng already as a seed, Zhuge Tao's hand now holds no trump card that can match Wang Héng's; he certainly can't just pay out of pocket, as that would be putting the cart before the horse for Zhuge Tao.

The reason everyone is so proactive, aside from recruiting talent for the martial hall, is essentially for their own 'performance' and their own interests.

Furthermore, many cultivation resources cannot be solved simply by paying out of pocket.

After Zhuge Tao spoke, the other two houses were not idle either, each adding a few remarks.

Jiāng Jiāng pondered for a moment, finally waiting for the most suitable opportunity to speak.

I hope to obtain an opportunity to enter the God of War Training Camp.

……

On the other side, Chén Chén followed Yún Shāng to the high altitude outside the monster town, using traces completely undetectable to ordinary people.

Father, it's really been a long time.

Chén Chén: I clearly just saw you on Heartnet the day before yesterday.

Of course, Heartnet is almost just a virtual world, so there are still some differences from the real world.

Yún Shāng's original image of an intelligent beauty suddenly turned into a puff of white mist, then gradually blended, and finally became the likeness of a petite young girl in her mid-teens wearing white clothes.

Well, then why doesn't the transformed appearance change back to the original?

Chén Chén remarked on the appearance of "Yún Shāng" before him.

"Huh? So you're really a lolicon, Father!" the girl said, looking at Chén Chén's strange expression and tilting her head.

"Where did you learn that word..." Chén Chén was once again speechless.

Chén Chén is certainly not a lolicon, but this girl before him is actually only four and a half years old; according to the human image he originally set for her, she should look like a real little girl.

Heh heh heh, my growth in human society is quite fast.

The girl stood with her hands on her hips, responding with a proud expression, as if expecting Chén Chén's praise.

Chén Chén rolled his eyes, glanced at the girl's current appearance, and thought to himself: If we're talking about growth, the previous "Yun Shang" would definitely be faster.

Of course, the specific aspect of this speed they refer to is worlds apart.

"Ah Yun, there are many things in the human world worth you learning and understanding, but not everything should be included in your growth, understand?"

Chén Chén suddenly switched to a slightly stern expression and said.

"I know, Father, I'm not really a little kid." Xiao Yun said with a smile.

That's right, Xiao Yun is certainly not a newborn child.

Unlike ordinary human children, from the moment of birth, Xiao Yun's consciousness and mind already contained a great deal of knowledge and part of Chén Chén's memories.

For Chén Chén, what he needs are helpers who can assist him immediately, not a true "child".

And Xiao Yun is the second "child" created by Chén Chén using his racial talent ability, named Yun Zhongjun.

Among Chén Chén's several children, Yun Zhongjun is also assigned the most tasks and is the most troublesome, so the time he can actually meet and speak with Chén Chén is indeed limited.

For example, beneath the sky, in Monster Town, the special investigation of the World Tree that has already begun mostly requires Yun Zhongjun to preside over it.

Such examination points number no less than a hundred per year worldwide, and despite a shortage of actual senior personnel in the World Tree, it has developed to this state; Yun Zhongjun can be said to have made an indispensable contribution.

"Ah Yun, you've worked hard during this period."

Unlike humans, beings such as Yun Zhongjun and Jian Mu are personally created by Chén Chén. To Chén Chén, Yun Zhongjun and Jian Mu are not much different from his real children; for this reliable child, Chén Chén naturally won't stint on praise.

"Hearing Father say this gives me endless motivation."

Yun Zhongjun, watching the fervent test underway below, couldn't help but show a satisfied smile.

"In another year or two, these matters won't need me anymore."

In recent years, the World Tree, gradually getting on track, has also cultivated many individuals capable of standing on their own; all that remains is to gradually replace Yun Zhongjun's alter egos, after which the World Tree will be able to fully get on track.

Chén Chén nodded and replied:

"Speed up the progress and move on to the next step; Heartnet has already entered the formal stage, so leave more of the World Tree to Jian Mu."

In Chén Chén's plan, there are still many places where Ah Yun needs to exert her abilities, but the reliance on her from the World Tree side is actually not high anymore.

Yun Zhongjun nodded, of course unconditionally obeying Chén Chén's instructions; moreover, Chén Chén's judgment is similar to hers, except that she feels Jian Mu brother is somewhat unreliable, and handing over her tasks makes her uneasy.

"Hmm, on the HR Alliance side, I've already found a breakthrough."

"Hmm, that's good."

Among the major forces, the one that Chén Chén likes the least is also the biggest stepping stone for the arrival of the new era.

"Come to think of it, that girl must be the mother, right?"

Chén Chén: "……"

"Huh? Right, right?"

Chén Chén: "No."

Yun Zhongjun: "Huh? Is this being tsundere? I get it, I get it."

Chén Chén: "You get it, damn it."

Yun Zhongjun: "Holy cow, holy cow, indeed it's my mom!"

In some aspects, these children also give birth to sides that Chén Chén doesn't particularly like.