Chapter 28: Don't Drop Those Little Pearls!

Chapter 28: Don’t Drop Those Little Pearls! (Vote for Monthly Rankings! Support This Work!)

Since this was an assessment for Stronkaiser Tier status, Jiang Zhe half-expected to be dragged outside to fight a Lord-Level Monster. He’d changed into his "new outfit"—the SS-Rank Battle Suit delivered that morning by Old Steward Wu.

This was Earth’s pinnacle of craftsmanship: a fusion of Conch King’s carapace and A6-grade Blue Gold!

The armor resembled white porcelain, its surface etched with dense, dark purple lightning patterns. Jiang Zhe admired its sleek, fierce design.

“No wonder this combination was revered as one of the ‘Buddhist Seven Treasures’ in Ancient Era…”

Front Courtyard.

When Jiang Zhe strolled into the courtyard, he found it buzzing with activity.

Outside the gates, crowds gathered like a marketplace. The usually secluded area near the city’s defense system was now gridlocked with vehicles.

Servants greeted him respectfully along the way, their address now changed from "Young Master Zhe" to "Fourth Young Master."

The uniformity made Jiang Zhe suspect Steward Wu had orchestrated the shift.

Two possible explanations:

Either he’d become the fourth War God Rank in the Jiang Clan after Elder Jiang, or the family had simply decided to acknowledge his status as the fourth brother in "Wen, Wu, Si, Zhe" hierarchy. Reaching War God Rank meant they couldn’t treat him like a child anymore.

He didn’t dwell on the title change.

Stepping into the courtyard, he spotted Auntie Jiang and First Brother Jiang escorting a travel-worn middle-aged man toward the Side Hall.

The man seemed to sense his gaze, turning to meet Jiang Zhe’s eyes with a polite nod and a weary smile.

Only then did Auntie Jiang and First Brother Jiang notice him, waving briefly before continuing to guide their guest inside—clearly a business negotiation.

“Extremely strong!” the middle-aged man remarked. “A formidable Mentalist. His aura is fierce and sharp—nothing like the rumors claiming he relied on drugs and artificial enhancements.”

Auntie Jiang snorted. “Only jealousy fuels such lies. Anyone who knows our Jiang Clan’s foundation understands we’d never take short-sighted shortcuts!”

Indeed, Jiang Zhe had followed strict cultivation protocols before using enhancement pills. The Jiang Clan’s three-generation tradition prioritized discipline: they could afford Agate and Dragon Blood, but never wasted them recklessly.

First Brother Jiang, ever composed, added proudly, “Globally, only Hong and Lei Shen rival our understanding of martial cultivation!”

The weathered visitor sighed. “Precisely! Those two Legislator-level masters…”

Auntie Jiang shifted topics. “Let’s discuss the business transition. Mr. Wang must be eager to return to Kyoto and assume leadership.”

“Eager, yes—but also overwhelmed,” Mr. Wang exhaled. “Who’d have thought my return would mean master and servant switching places…”

---

“A War God Rank? Probably early or mid-stage,” Jiang Zhe mused. “Similar to Wang Zhen… Must be his second uncle exiled to the Xixia Base.”

With the Wang Clan’s main branch replaced, their feud with Jiang Zhe had reached a natural conclusion.

“Xiao Zhe! Come here!” Jiang Chengxiong waved to his son. His face had been frozen in smiles for days.

Father and elder brother were Legislator-level masters, his son the youngest War God Rank—Earth’s happiest man, no contest.

In the courtyard center stood Elder Jiang, the two uncles, the Limit Martial Arts Headquarters president, and a lean, forty-something stranger with a prominent Stellar-Level aura. A Fu Manchu beard framed his face, prayer beads wrapped around his wrist.

Jiang Zhe guessed this was the Wang Inspector who’d dealt with Luo Feng.

Unfazed by the man’s piercing gaze, Jiang Zhe approached calmly. That morning’s Beast Bone Ointment application had boosted his Mental Energy close to the Apprentice Ninth Stage threshold.

Second Uncle Jiang frowned. “Why wear battle gear, Xiao Zhe?”

“Huh?” Jiang Zhe blinked. “Aren’t you assessing my War God Rank? Shouldn’t I hunt a couple Lord-Level Monsters?”

“Didn’t you already submit the materials?” First Uncle reminded. “They’re in the icehouse.”

Jiang Zhe opened his mouth, then closed it. Technically true—but the process felt lax.

“Xiao Zhe, meet Inspector Wang from Limit Martial Arts Pavilion,” Elder Jiang interrupted the awkward silence.

“Mr. Wang.” Jiang Zhe nodded, inwardly relieved he wasn’t being forced into another absurd generational bow. Last time, he’d nearly become a “great-grandnephew.”

“Call me Uncle Wang,” the man smiled warmly. “Your Mentalist cultivation is impressive. Looking forward to seeing you challenge Earth’s current top Mentalist.”

“Flattered, really,” Jiang Zhe replied politely.

Internally…

Jiang Zhe: (\#-_-)\┯━┯

Jiang Zhe: My generational rank’s sunk deeper than the Mariana Trench…

---

Later, the group proceeded to the icehouse.

They examined two intact King-Tier Beast corpses, then hastily reassembled materials from mid-tier Lord-Level Monsters. The process felt perfunctory—clearly just ticking boxes.

Inspector Wang’s primary task was verifying Elder Jiang and the uncles’ punishment compliance. He quickly approved Jiang Zhe’s “Mid-Stronkaiser Tier” assessment, left two metal cases, and departed.

“Old Wu, send these boxes to Xiao Zhe’s courtyard,” Elder Jiang instructed.

“What’s inside?” Jiang Zhe asked.

“Open them yourself,” Elder Jiang grinned. “One requires your fingerprint, the other the code ‘2247’.”

Servants carried the cases forward. Jiang Zhe pressed his finger to the scanner.

Beep!

The lid popped open, revealing a deep blue helmet.

“A Neural Interface Headset,” Elder Jiang explained its functions. “Remember to log into War God Palace at 2 PM.”

“Got it.”

The second case unlocked with four quick keypad presses. Inside: four vials of golden Dragon Blood.

“Gift,” Elder Jiang smirked. “They slap your face, then hand you sweets. Hong maintains order through punishment—but he still owes us for the library incident.”

Seeing the confusion on his son’s face, Jiang Chengxiong explained, “Back when order was restored after the Great Nirvana, Hong and Lei Shen visited our home that year. They copied all the martial arts manuals and rare notes from the library.”

…

Afternoon, 1:50 PM.

Jiang Zhe put on the “Neuro-Sync Interface” helmet in his study.

Entering Virtual Space!

Yeah, he was still pretty excited about Virtual Space.

In his past life, this was the kind of experience only found in online fantasy novels. Back when those stories were popular, who hadn’t dreamed of a virtual helmet or gaming pod that could immerse you entirely in a fantastical digital world?

A vast, serene room materialized around him. Jiang Zhe, clad in a simple white robe, abruptly appeared.

A bed, a swimming pool, tables and chairs, a dining area, a training zone… Over a thousand square meters of space, neatly divided into functional areas.

“Welcome, Jiang Zhe, War God Rank,” a cold electronic voice suddenly intoned.

Unfazed, Jiang Zhe listened patiently to the tutorial before turning his attention to the two books on the table.

“War God Palace Regulations”!

“Mentalist Foundations”!

Especially the latter.

Luo Feng had bought his own copy, but this one was purchased by Hanxia. Its theoretical value was equivalent to three tubes of Dragon Blood Serum.

Jiang Zhe flipped through a few pages, focusing on the 18 techniques listed inside—Dreamweave, Illusion Demon Eye, Mental Needle Probe, Soul Quake… None seemed particularly difficult. A quick test outside would probably be enough to succeed.

Glancing at the endless sea of clouds beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, Jiang Zhe swapped his robe for a new outfit and left the room.

Third floor, corridor.

The Jiang Clan elders were already waiting. Watching his grandfather and eldest uncle in their golden robes, his second uncle and father in white robes…

Jiang Zhe looked down at his own outfit—a modern-style indigo Hanfu.

“Uh… Should I go change?”

Elder Jiang waved him off. “No need. Hurry up, people are waiting below.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Zhe followed the group, feeling like a Husky sneaking into a wolf pack.

Descending the spiral staircase.

Midway, they met another group—a golden-robed Legislator flanked by two white-robed War God Ranks.

Elder Jiang and his eldest uncle exchanged brief greetings with the Legislator.

Jiang Zhe, however, felt uneasy under the intense stares of the two young foreigners in white. They looked at him like an alien specimen, as if eager to take a bite.

He tugged at his Hanfu.

Boys need to protect themselves out there!

The first-floor hall was massive, with thousands of sofas and over a thousand people chatting and drinking.

As the group stepped onto the polished floor, the ambient music cut off, and the hall dimmed. All eyes turned to the staircase.

“Ding!”

The music resumed, upbeat and celebratory, as the War God Ranks stood to applaud.

Two beams of light illuminated Elder Jiang and Master Jiang.

“War God Palace welcomes two new Legislators: Jiang Lie and Master Jiang!”

The voice boomed.

“The total number of Legislators in human society has now reached 49!”

Jiang Zhe thought the number should’ve been “50,” but a few days ago, an international colleague—unfortunately—had been skewered by Elder Jiang’s spear.

Suddenly, the light shifted from his grandfather and eldest uncle to Jiang Zhe and two young War God Ranks beside him.

“War God Palace also welcomes three new War God Ranks: Jiang Zhe, Jolyn Fair, and Caterine Poleanas!”

The display on the hall wall changed from “2671” to “2674”!

Hearing the names, Jiang Zhe raised an eyebrow. Unexpectedly, he knew them.

Caterine Poleanas, the Illusionist. A shrewd, neutral type who knew how to stay alive. He’d never seriously targeted Luo Feng, so he survived.

Jolyn Fair?

A woman as swift as a cheetah—freckled, sharp-featured, and strikingly handsome.

Notably, her surname was Fair, from the HR Union.

She resembled the golden-robed Legislator leading their group—clearly her father, the flame-wielding Legislator Luo Feng had encountered.

The lights faded, and the hall returned to normal.

Legislator Fair spoke, “Gentlemen, come with me. The First Councilor is waiting. There are matters only Legislators should know.”

Jiang Zhe’s eyes flickered. He guessed what it was—likely about Stellar-Level, Stellar Class, and Cosmic Level beings.

Suddenly, his shoulder was patted twice.

He turned to see Elder Jiang’s warm, almost mischievous smile.

Jiang Zhe: ???

Grandpa, did I oversleep? Why does your grin look so suspicious?

“Xiao Zhe, they’re your peers, both from the HR Union. Get to know them, exchange ideas.”

Another pat on the shoulder, a meaningful glance, and Elder Jiang followed Fair toward the stairs, leaving Jiang Zhe with his eldest uncle.

“Ahem, son, you young folks should chat more.”

With that, Jiang Chengxiong dragged his second brother away.

Jiang Zhe’s head filled with question marks.

What are you two up to? If you’re gonna play games, I’m logging off.

But someone interrupted his exit.

A slender hand extended toward him, accompanied by a voice as crisp as a songbird.

“Little genius~ Let’s meet! I’m Jolyn Fair, 25, a Low Stronkaiser Tier Martial Artist. The golden-robed Legislator earlier was my father.”

“I’m 16, not a kid. Please drop the nickname.”

Jiang Zhe shook her hand briefly.

“I’m Jiang Zhe, Mid Warrior General Level Martial Artist.”

The other young man, Caterine, leaned in eagerly, offering his hand.

“I’m Caterine Poleanas, Low Stronkaiser Tier Mentalist!”

Jiang Zhe shook his hand too, his expression calm but his thoughts snarky.

Yeah, Low Stronkaiser Tier Mentalist. You’ll stall here for ages, barely advancing, until you become the perfect backdrop for Luo Feng’s Mentalist debut.

But before that, you’ll be my backdrop first.

After the introductions, Jolyn winked playfully.

“They say you killed two War God Ranks—Low and Mid tiers—using Mentalist techniques. True?”

Jiang Zhe smiled, silent.

“Hmph, even if you won’t confirm, I’ll challenge you at your grandfather’s promotion banquet. Don’t let your pearls spill when I beat you!”

“Same here! I’ll challenge you too!” Caterine’s eyes blazed.

Jiang Zhe realized the plan, smirking inwardly. So Grandpa wants me to thrash them for a lesson?

He felt a surge of interest. “Why wait? How about right now? Let’s head to the arena outside!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end