"Mm."

Now that Wei Daoming had given his reminder, he naturally wouldn't waste any more words.

Regardless of Wang Zhan's turbulent thoughts, Wei Daoming was only concerned with what Wang Zhan would face next, still considering him from the perspective of the Human Race.

"It's precisely because we've become aware of your strength that we suddenly realized our past actions were indeed a bit too conservative, and our responses somewhat sluggish. Therefore, this time, we've decided to send you out. Firstly, to attempt a small-scale counterattack, and secondly, to see if, through you, we can bring some experience to the Human Race.

In other words, you're essentially an experimental subject now. Not for the Federation, nor for the Human Race, but just for us few old fellows. Do you mind?"

Wang Zhan shook his head, his expression resolute.

Heck, what was there to mind? Nothing at all.

"The mission this time is roughly like this... If things prove impossible, you can temporarily retreat; there's no need to clash with them head-on. Also, you must remember, as a warrior of the Human Race, no one has the right to persuade another warrior to go to their death.

So, my expectation for you isn't that you fight with a death-defying resolve. I only hope to see you return victorious, bringing good news for our Human Race. Do you understand?"

Wang Zhan's expression was solemn as he slowly nodded.

The phrase 'you can temporarily retreat' naturally meant that in extremely dangerous situations, Wang Zhan could choose to save his own life first, rather than getting fixated on completing the mission.

In other words, in Wei Daoming's eyes, his, Wang Zhan's, life was more precious than a mere small mission; it wasn't worth throwing away.

This realization sent a wave of warmth through Wang Zhan's heart, making him feel very comfortable and somewhat grateful.

If not for selfless elders of the Human Race like Yun Tianyi and Wei Daoming, he, Wang Zhan, might have died long ago. How could he have received the Federation's appreciation and enjoyed such profound trust and care?

Now that the main mission was assigned, the rest of the process became much more relaxed.

Wei Daoming said with a gentle expression, "There's one more thing I believe you, as an insider, absolutely need to know. Of course, this isn't to make you overthink, but merely to let you know some details, lest someone schemes behind the scenes and you, the protagonist, unwittingly fall into a trap."

Wang Zhan appeared nonchalant.

He was the protagonist? This was practically... common knowledge.

However, when he thought of those eyes still secretly spying from the darkness, his ears perked up again, and his spirits rose considerably.

"...After our discussion, as long as you complete ten missions for each of our three Martial Arts Academies, then, regardless of whether you're an exchange student or not, you can officially become a disciple of our Martial Arts Academies.

Your talent is not lacking; we invited you before. This way, it's merely a continuation of past events, and no one would dare to say much. Thus, you won't have to maintain that awkward status of an exchange student and can make a new choice..."

Completing ten missions would allow him to choose one of the Federation's Four Great Academies to enter?

Wang Zhan was truly stunned!

How did this condition come about? Logically, when he initially rejected the invitations from the Federation's Four Great Academies, it was a slight to their prestige. Yet now, he could choose again... Don't the Four Great Academies care about their reputation?

Wei Daoming seemed to guess some of it from his gaze and waved his hand, saying, "Don't overthink. If you hadn't left the Chu State Military Academy, naturally, no one would have accepted you. But since you have left Chu State Military Academy, we are merely returning to square one.

This way, the Four Great Academies remain the Four Great Academies, known for 'spending a fortune to buy fine horse bones'—discerning and sharp-eyed. The Chu State Military Academy remains the Chu State Military Academy—short-sighted and lacking judgment. In the end, it still benefits us."

Wang Zhan quickly shut his mouth. He wouldn't meddle in these affairs.

The waters here run very deep!

But how could he know that this whole affair of becoming an exchange student was a muddled business from the start.

If one were to truly seek the main culprits, Li Chengyuan, Qin Ying, Liu Zhenfeng, Lv Zhenglong, and even the Federation's Four Great Academies—which of them hadn't dipped a hand into it?

It was just that the two vice-deans of Chu State Military Academy, having received no response from the Dean, had no choice but to drift with the current. They became the ones seen as short-sighted, blind, and undiscerning for abandoning Wang Zhan, thus bearing the brunt of the criticism.

After some conversation, this meeting was drawing to a close.

Wei Daoming had finally revealed his entire purpose for coming, and Wang Zhan also had a better grasp of the mission ahead.

However, just as he thought Wei Daoming was about to leave, Wei Daoming suddenly spoke.

"Those earlier matters were official business. Now, I want to talk to you about a personal matter."

Wang Zhan was taken aback. Personal matters?

Then, he slapped his own forehead.

He had indeed forgotten. Regarding himself—there was indeed a personal matter related to Wei Daoming.

Thinking he understood Wei Daoming's meaning, he quickly took the shield out from his bosom.

With a look of gratitude and embarrassment, he said to Wei Daoming, "Senior, if you hadn't mentioned it, this junior would have almost forgotten. This is the shield Senior once used to protect this junior. The Spirit of the Shield has already told this junior the full story. This junior must thank Senior for the life-saving grace."

However, the way the shield emerged and the warmth it carried made Wang Zhan very embarrassed, his heart filled with unease.

Senior probably won't mind, right? But I had no choice! That Storage Bangle was taken back by the officials long ago. I have nothing on me; even those beast cores are handled by the clone... COUGH, COUGH!

Thinking of the crucial point, Wang Zhan quickly reminded himself.

Can't say it, definitely can't say it! Just a hint will do.

His expression was still a bit awkward, facing Wei Daoming's peculiar gaze, unsure of what to say.

This time, it truly has become a close personal item!

Besides, these old antiques, which one of them doesn't have some eccentricity?

Haven't you heard? The more powerful someone is, the stranger their quirks tend to be. Things like mysophobia are quite understandable...

But Wang Zhan felt this couldn't be blamed on him!

He had personally asked that disrespectful Old Man in the Small World how to restore damaged treasures.

The Old Man had personally replied, "You can't rush this kind of thing... Although I'm not skilled in artifact refinement, the principle of nurturing is likely constant amidst all variations. Perhaps if you constantly warm and nourish it, it will recover faster..."

Warm and nourish, warm and nourish, isn't that just nourishing it with body heat!

He was a university freshman, after all; Wang Zhan could understand this much. It wasn't some overly profound theory.

It just felt...

Why did it feel like he was a bit guilty?

Actually, he had no idea.

What Wei Daoming was concerned and puzzled about wasn't this matter at all, but rather...

The Spirit of the Shield is severely injured... Presumably, that's why she hasn't torn Wang Zhan to pieces, right?

Wang Zhan's assumption that great figures, these old antiques, all had some quirks wasn't actually wrong.

However, the subject of that quirk might need to be shifted.

The one with the quirk wasn't Wei Daoming, who was not yet a hundred years old—a man of the Federation—but rather the shield in Wang Zhan's hand.

That one was a young lady with mysophobia.

Fortunately, Wei Daoming didn't seem to mind. With a chuckle, he directly took the small shield.

After infusing a stream of pure energy into it, he made no other visible actions.

Then, amidst Wang Zhan's somewhat flustered astonishment, he tossed it back to Wang Zhan as if discarding a worn-out shoe.

"Senior..."

Wang Zhan was baffled.

What's going on? Is he really disgusted by it?

What the hell? This is a genuine great magical artifact! Not only can it talk, but it's also incredibly strong.

It could protect Wang Zhan's life even in the midst of a vast army; it's truly a rare treasure!

Wei Daoming, however, just smiled. His tone was somewhat complex, as if reminiscing about something, but he quickly regained his clarity.

"Alright. How can something already given away be taken back? Actually, I decided to give it to you that day. To be honest, following me, it has no good prospects or good end. It's better for you to take it to save your life."

Wang Zhan was truly dumbfounded.

It's just a treasure. Why talk about prospects and outcomes? Isn't the battlefield its destiny?

Of course, Wang Zhan wouldn't say this out loud; he wanted to be more tactful.

But Wei Daoming had no time to beat around the bush with him and said directly, "Enough. I was once its master, but now, all scores are settled between us. If you don't accept it, then just discard it and let it await its next destined owner..."

In an instant.

For a moment, Wang Zhan felt as if a venerable, white-haired yet youthful-looking, mysterious old man radiating an immortal aura was standing before him, speaking kindly and benevolently, "Young man, I see your features are refined, your bone structure astonishing; you are destined for greatness in the future..."

"The personal matter I was referring to is this: since I've commandeered you, without even giving you time to react or going through the proper procedures, I feel somewhat apologetic. So, if you have anything you haven't had time to deal with, or any troublesome matters needing assistance, I don't mind helping you resolve them all today. Consider it as alleviating your future worries and letting you experience the privileges of being a disciple of a Federal Martial Arts Academy..."

Wang Zhan looked at Wei Daoming, his eyes starting to moisten.

He was so moved!

Such a mentor and friend, so frank and loyal, such a... COUGH COUGH COUGH... beacon of virtue... such a perfectly righteous person!

Where else in this world could one meet such a person?

Even Yun Tianyi had his calculations concerning him, so how could he possibly trouble such a great figure as Wei Daoming like this?

It's simply outrageous! Was he, Wang Zhan, that kind of person?

Absolutely!

"...Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior! Rest assured, this kid owes me ten billion—that's a solid fact, with a written contract as proof. I was originally thinking, if he didn't pay up, I'd find someone to... COUGH COUGH COUGH... persuade him to pay. Now that Senior is here, he certainly wouldn't dare to default on the debt. That makes it much easier to handle."

Wei Daoming's mouth twitched as he looked at Wang Zhan.

He didn't mishear just now, did he?

If he doesn't pay, just find someone to 'handle' him? Are young people these days all so wild...?

But, ten billion!

Mm, if it were me, just 'handling' him might not be enough. There'd be no profit, and it would just stir up a hornet's nest...

Silence. A profound silence.

Wei Daoming was somewhat stunned, at a loss for words. Better quickly put back on my expert facade.

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