When a mysterious elder appears in a mysterious space and asks if you're willing to take him as a mentor.
What do you choose?
Of course, you agree!
Han Zhan isn't foolish. Lin Jingxuan is the head of the Second War Zone, and the elder appearing here must be at least a level above him.
Without a second thought, he knelt on the ground and performed a disciple's salutation.
"Teacher." Han Zhan said respectfully.
His straightforward manner left the two across from him momentarily stunned, and then Lin Jingxuan revealed a rather touching smile.
"Han Zhan, no, now I should call you junior brother; you're a smart person."
"The teacher's surname is Li, and his name is Shutong, meaning 'different paths leading to the same destination.'
With Lin Jingxuan's introduction, when Han Zhan looked again at Li Shutong standing before him, he realized that he actually had some memories of this name from his limited knowledge of this world!
Li Shutong, Li Family.
The most powerful family in the entire Great Xia.
A hundred years ago, when the Three Great Insect Emperors united, they attempted to overthrow Great Xia, breaking through twelve defense lines in succession. The Insect Race army was unstoppable, and Great Xia's survival was hanging by a thread.
At that time, it was the Li Family that stood up,
A person named Li Shutong turned the tide for Great Xia, braving the dragon's lair alone, and single-handedly took on and killed the Three Great Insect Emperors, leading to the Insect Race's defeat.
It is hard to associate that formidable being who descended like a divine force with the kindly looking elderly man before him.
In Han Zhan's memory, after becoming the number one family in Great Xia, the Li Family also founded Li's School, selecting and nurturing talented seeds from all over the world.
They laid the foundation for a hundred years for Great Xia!
If the words Han Zhan spoke before were merely slogans for himself,
Then for Li Shutong, he is entirely worthy of this statement and deserves this honor.
While Han Zhan was lost in thought, Li Shutong was already laughing heartily and helped him up.
"You're quite remarkable."
"You suit my taste more than they do."
As Lin Jingxuan watched this scene, the phrase "skipping a generation" inexplicably popped into his mind.
There is indeed more than a century in age difference between Han Zhan and Li Shutong, like a skipped generation.
Speaking, Li Shutong took something out of his pocket and handed it to Han Zhan.
When Han Zhan looked down, it was a pitch-black ring, finely polished with a cool, smooth texture.
Inside the ring's circle, there was the engraving of the number "Nine."
"This ring is crafted from the core remains of the Tier Nine Insect Emperor I killed back in the day, a total of nine pieces were made. It contains Sumeru Space, allowing you to store items, a neat little trinket."
Upon hearing Li Shutong's words, even Lin Jingxuan, who would remain unflustered at the collapse of Mount Tai, couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
"Apprentice ceremony gift."
Han Zhan looked in astonishment at the unassuming black ring in his hand, not expecting it to be crafted from the core remains of the Tier Nine Insect Emperor.
Such a gesture could only be accomplished by Li Shutong.
Li Shutong continued, "This ring, tainted with the aura of the Tier Nine Insect Emperor, will have a significant deterrent effect when you face the Low Tier Insect Race."
"However, when facing those stronger Insect Races, they might exhibit a stronger intent to attack."
"If you're worried, you don't have to wear it all the time."
Upon hearing this, Han Zhan, without a second thought, put it on his finger.
Classic rebellious behavior, confirmed.
"Hahaha, very well, very good." Li Shutong laughed, patting Han Zhan on the shoulder.
"That's the spirit; look at all these cowards, they don't dare wear the rings after getting them, all cowards!"
Elder Li said, glancing sharply at Lin Jingxuan.
Lin Jingxuan felt somewhat bitter inside, but he remained silent.
"Alright, let's not talk too much. You and that young lady have just completed the assessment and should have exhausted a lot of energy."
"Let's go; I'm in a good mood today. I'll treat you to hot pot, and we can meet your senior brothers."
...
The hot pot in Deep Blue City is mainly spicy.
Don't ask why there's still hot pot in the post-apocalyptic insect disaster world.
Even with the Insect Race running rampant, life still has to go on.
It's just that the ingredients for hot pot now include many strange meats that were unheard of and unseen before.
The place where Li Shutong took them was a Nine-Compartment Hotpot.
In a large private room, they sat around in a circle, the room full of people.
Han Zhan and Xia Youwei felt a bit reserved, like a newlywed couple, pulled to sit next to Li Shutong.
Xia Youwei's cheeks were flushed, looking somewhat tipsy as if she had been drinking.
The Nine-Compartment Hotpot was steaming with rich aromas and the bubbling red-oil broth.
The heads of several major regions were watching Han Zhan and the others, their gazes showing satisfaction.
"Junior brother, I'm Wei Qing, head of the First War Zone. When you have time, feel free to visit our war zone."
First War Zone, visit?
Hearing the casual way Wei Qing said those words, Han Zhan had a question mark pop up in his mind.
Nevertheless, he pulled the daydreaming Xia Youwei beside him to stand up and lifted his tea cup.
"Senior Brother."
"Hahaha, good, you're on the right path!" Wei Qing chuckled with satisfaction, then turned to take out a pair of deep red gloves.
"Consider this my welcome gift to you."
"Since you're going to learn from our teacher, you will inevitably practice fist techniques. I used these gloves for a long time, and they are stained with the blood of the Insect Race."
"I won't say much more; discover the magical uses yourself."
Wei Qing tossed the gloves over, and Han Zhan caught them.
As soon as he touched them, Han Zhan felt a chilling evil energy that sent shivers down his spine.
He seemed to see a scene of countless Insect Race corpses piled into a mountain of blood and bones!
How many Insect Races had Wei Qing killed with these gloves?!
Han Zhan put the gloves into his Sumeru Space, and the evil energy slightly subsided.
At this point, Lin Jingxuan stood up as the second person.
"I'm Lin Jingxuan, head of the Second War Zone. We've already met once before."
Lin Jingxuan was the type to be stern and serious. After he spoke, he also brought out his prepared gift.
"This is a comprehensive analysis of the Insect Race that I've compiled since becoming a Spirit Contract Master. It contains research on the types, structures, weaknesses, traits of species, material value, and other aspects of the Insect Race."
"It covers over 90% of the Insect Race types, which you can look at during your free time."
"Thank you, Second Senior Brother!" Han Zhan reached out and accepted this gift.
Then came the third war zone leader, Third Senior Brother Ye Qiu, who gave a set of deep red battle armor with astounding defensive capabilities.
The fourth war zone leader, Fourth Senior Brother Shen Zheqi, provided a pair of Unity Jade Pendants found in the ruins, one for Han Zhan and one for Xia Youwei.
The fifth war zone leader, Fifth Senior Brother Liu Jingchun, gave a big gift pack of medicinal materials to aid in the improvement of realm and spiritual power absorption.
"Old Six is stationed at the border and cannot leave; you should meet him when you have a chance."
"Old Seven is still overseas, and there's no way to see him soon."
"As for Old Ba. Old Ba, come out!"
With Li Shutong's shout, a humanoid figure gradually appeared from transparency, though still shrouded in mist, unclear in view.
The Eighth War Zone, also the most mysterious zone, had a leader without a name, only a codename: "None."
The Eighth Senior Brother "None" gave Han Zhan a note as a greeting gift, with a recorded phone number on it.
"In case of danger, dial this number."
"Remember, you only have one chance."
Han Zhan heard the indistinct, androgynous voice that couldn't be discerned as male or female, and he nodded solemnly, carefully storing the note.
At this point, Han Zhan had met all the senior brothers and Li Shutong that could be seen.
Han Zhan officially joined them as Li Shutong's ninth disciple.
Just as they intended to start eating the hot pot, an unharmonious, sharp voice suddenly echoed from outside the door:
"Oh, sneaking out to eat hotpot without us, aren't you afraid of karma!"
Upon hearing this voice, Xia Youwei's expression changed.