With Zhang Hanxiang's affairs resolved, it was time for him to look over his apprentices' progress. At the same time, he would be able to warn them to avoid the first realm of the dimensional world for the near future.
The disaster-grade lifeform had caused massive damage all around where it spawned, and the Blacksteel Settlement and its surroundings had been part of the danger zone.
After stepping outside of the chamber, Zhang Lie immediately went to find Zhang Hong to request that she summon his two apprentices, which Jun Jiuxiao and Ye Xianchen had been waiting for.
"Master!" Their faces were flushed red with agitation.
As their master obtained more and more accolades, their status continued to rise without their having done anything at all. They used to be the apprentices to the Dragonwolf Zhang Lie; now, they were the apprentices to the Champion of the Void Cup! They weren't the only two who felt this way; the disciples, instructors, and staff all over the dojo would likewise have to adapt to this change.
"Neither of you have stopped training while I've been gone, have you?"
"Master, given your display of strength throughout the Void Cup, how could we slow down? We've both become more accustomed to our techniques, but because we haven't had a chance to obtain any gene fragments, we can't get much stronger beyond that," Jun Jiuxiao responded, his voice brimming with anticipation with his last sentence.
Based on the look in his eyes, if Zhang Lie were to allow him to do so, he would immediately rush into the dimensional world and begin acquiring gene fragments to strengthen himself. Beside him, Ye Xianchen inclined her head in agreement.
Zhang Lie didn't doubt his two apprentices' ability— that had been made clear during the trial he had set for them. However, with the disaster-grade lifeform about to make an appearance, it would be far too dangerous for them to start their journey as hunters.
"I understand your strength, but the first realm of the dimensional world is about to face a tribulation. Without my express command, you are not to enter the dimensional world. Do you understand?"
The two apprentices seemed confused, particularly Ye Xianchen. "But, Master, didn't you say that we would be able to do so once you returned from the Void Cup?"
"I failed to account for this upcoming issue. This isn't something either of you, or even the majority of the lifeforms in the first realm, would be able to survive." contemporary romance
"Yes, Master!"
Zhang Lie had made his will clear, and neither of his apprentices would oppose him.
"Now, why don't you show me how your framework and techniques have progressed to this point?"
Zhang Lie noted with satisfaction that neither of his apprentices had slacked off, and they had developed rather unique modifications to their respective techniques, so Zhang Lie felt much more relaxed about what he was going to do next.
After pointing out a few errors, he worked out a training regimen for both of them. He really was quite impressed with their drive and expertise, and he intended to assign them as companions and bodyguards for his sister, Zhang Hanxiang, within the first realm.
Next would be the supervision of all the disciples currently training in the Zenith Dojo. He was the dojo leader of the Zenith Dojo, after all, and there were responsibilities he couldn't avoid. He had won the Void Throne, the insignia of the champion that the strongest members of his generation sought for. Any hunter would want to receive his recognition, let alone his disciples.
That entire morning, a serious atmosphere seemed to descend on the Zenith Dojo as Zhang Lie made the rounds for his inspection. He was very pleased with what he found. Perhaps because of his existence, or because of the environment fostered in the dojo, the disciples had progressed far more than he had expected, and he commended Zhang Hong, Lin Xiu, and the instructors like Wang Li for their efforts.
Zhang Lie placed particular emphasis on Zhang Hong; whenever he left, tasks that he would otherwise be responsible for had fallen to her. Although she knew that Zhang Lie wouldn't blame her if she wasn't able to handle everything satisfactorily, she still tried her best, and she had even roped Lin Xiu into helping her as well.
"Everyone, you've all done well, and the results of your hard work are evident. I'm very pleased with your efforts, and I hope you'll keep up your training. The Void Throne will be present in the Zenith Dojo for the next five years, and this will surely be the golden period of growth for the Zenith Dojo. I hope you can all take this opportunity to grow strong, so strong that you can keep the Void Throne right here in the next iteration of the Void Cup in five years' time. Do you all understand?"
"Yes, Dojo Leader!"
Zhang Lie's lips quirked up into a smile. He beckoned for the members of Team Zenith to enter the dimensional world with him.
When Zhang Lie and the others arrived in the Blacksteel Settlement, their sudden appearance caused a big fuss—by then, they were so well-known within the first realm that this was an inevitable occurrence.
Faced with a frenzy of rabid fans, the hunters had to rush into a VIP suite in the Blacksteel Hotel.
"Captain, under these circumstances, how are we supposed to get from place to place?" Sun Xiaowu complained.
Everyone else was starting to feel the negative effects of their newfound popularity as well.
On the other hand, Fang Yi seemed more concerned about another matter entirely. "Captain, didn't you tell us not to enter the dimensional world in the near future? Why are we here now?"
Everyone jerked in surprise—Zhang Lie had indeed mentioned that!
Zhang Lie smiled. "I think there's still a bit of time left, so I'm hoping you'll all be able to help me keep surveillance on a few areas and help me collect a few items."
Surveillance? Collection? For what purpose?
"Captain, is something about to happen? Do you know of another peak-grade lifeform you're preparing to kill?" Sun Mengmeng suddenly asked, her eyes shining.
Glancing at everyone's excited gazes, Zhang Lie laughed. "This is the first realm! Do you think peak-grade lifeforms pop up all that frequently? Honestly, we were lucky enough just to find that moonlight wyrm—I was shocked that there was even one peak-grade lifeform in the entirety of the first realm, let alone more. The task that I'm assigning all of you is to keep an eye out on certain areas for latent threats."
"Latent threats? With our strength, what's there to worry about?" Sun Mengmeng pressed.
"I'll inform you in due time. I'm going to be providing all of you with a map with a few target locations, and I'd like all of you to head to these locations and keep an eye out on your surroundings. Once you notice something amiss, do not try to investigate. Immediately return to the real world and inform me of what you found. Do you understand?"
Zhang Lie's sudden seriousness caused everyone to nod their heads at once. "We understand, Captain!"
It was clear from Zhang Lie's mannerisms that they would be facing something serious indeed, but if Zhang Lie didn't want them to investigate, he surely had his own reasons as to why.
"What about the things that you'd like us to collect?" Sun Mengmeng continued.
"I'm interested in a few herbs and implements that have to deal with blood—with the connections that you all developed while searching for herbs in the past, reach out and try to procure what's on this list of items. Here's the list, and here's the map. Decide how you want to allocate your resources and head to each location immediately."
Moments later, deep in the night, there was no one left in the VIP suite except an open window and a billowing curtain.
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