Chapter 652 - 3: Recommendation

The night passed. Chen Chuan had breakfast with his aunt’s family. Once his uncle had left for the Patrol Bureau and his aunt had taken his younger cousins to school, he tidied up, returned to the living room, picked up the phone, and dialed a number.

After a moment, the call connected, and a voice came from the other end. "This is Wen Tong."

Chen Chuan said, "Instructor Wen, it’s Chen Chuan."

He paused. "Instructor Wen, I’ve read the booklet you gave me. I have some questions I’d like to ask you in person. Are you available right now?"

Instructor Wen’s gentle voice came through the receiver. "I happen to be free right now."

"Great, Instructor Wen," Chen Chuan said. "I’ll head over right now."

After hanging up, he changed into casual clothes, straightened them in front of the mirror, grabbed the booklet Instructor Wen had given him, and headed out the door.

He followed the road through the residential area toward the back, and after just seven or eight minutes, he arrived in front of a courtyard home.

The courtyard gate was open, so he walked inside. He saw Instructor Wen standing there in a training uniform, a gentle smile on his face. Chen Chuan approached and greeted him politely. "Instructor."

Instructor Wen smiled. "You as well." He turned to the side. "Let’s talk inside."

Chen Chuan nodded and followed Instructor Wen into the living room. Tea had already been prepared on the table. Instructor Wen gestured. "Have a seat."

"Thank you," Chen Chuan said, waiting for Instructor Wen to sit before taking a seat himself.

Instructor Wen then asked, "Did you understand it?"

Chen Chuan knew what he meant. "I did," he said, nodding. As he spoke, a light flickered in his eyes. He reached out and clenched his fist. A sudden BOOM, like a clap of thunder, erupted from the gesture.

The surprise in Instructor Wen’s eyes vanished as quickly as it appeared. ’Heart Force...’ He could tell it was Heart Force generated from the foundation of the Cloud-Breaking Hand.

The prerequisite for mastering Heart Force was cultivating one’s Spiritual Power to a certain level. For someone at that level, it was indeed time to consider the next step.

Chen Chuan spoke again. "Instructor Wen, you once told me that if I ever hit a bottleneck, I should open that booklet. I’ve done so, but it seems the solution still requires me to find you. That’s why I’ve taken the opportunity during my leave to come seek your guidance."

As he spoke, he took out the booklet and placed it on the table.

Instructor Wen glanced at it and said with some emotion, "To be honest, I thought it would take you three or four years to come looking for me. I didn’t expect it to be so soon. It seems I’ve underestimated your talent."

He said, "Since you’ve come to me, you must be aware of the authorities’ restrictions on Pure Essence, then?"

Chen Chuan nodded.

Instructor Wen said, "The transition from the Third Limit to the Fourth Limit is a massive threshold. A Fighter’s destructive power increases enormously. If such power were in the hands of an unscrupulous person, the cost of dealing with the aftermath would be immense. Neither the world’s governments nor the corporations are willing to see such an uncontrollable situation arise, so this measure became inevitable.

"But who gets to decide who can advance and who can’t?

"In the past, that was the Grand Alliance’s role. Under the supervision of all its members, the system was largely stable, though not without its flaws. But the Grand Alliance collapsed not long after its founding. Now, the only ones left to pass judgment are the world’s governments and corporations. To be more specific, it’s a small group of people within them.

"The world, at its core, is built on violence. All order is constructed upon that foundation. Fighters are part of what upholds that order, but they are also capable of destroying it. To control violence is to control the very lifeblood of the world, and once anyone gets a grip on it, they won’t let go easily.

"Fortunately, the world is not completely stagnant. Under pressure from powerful external forces, that solid wall of control is constantly loosening and cracking. This necessitates relying on more powerful individuals to hold the line. It’s an overwhelming tide that no one can defy.

"Yet, some of those in power refuse to change, even though they know this. They would rather drag the world down with them. And that is where people are needed to force a change."

At this, he looked at Chen Chuan. "How much do you know about the Schools?"

Chen Chuan knew this was the heart of the matter. He thought for a moment before answering frankly, "Not much. I only know the names of a few—the Pure Sect, which you and Teacher He belong to. Some of the opponents I’ve fought were from the Implant Faction, and I’ve witnessed a conflict between the Wilderness Sect and the Implant Faction.

"I also looked up information on the Schools while I was in Central City. It said that the old-era Schools were primarily for passing down Fighting Skills, while the new-era Schools are composed of Fighters who share similar combat philosophies."

"That’s not wrong."

Instructor Wen said, "In the old era, a School was simply a lineage for passing down skills. Today, there are over a hundred Schools in Dashun Country, but only twenty-or-so are truly influential. Of those, the vast majority are traditionalists, relying on the legacy of the old era and clinging to its ideals.

"However, a select few have chosen to actively participate in the changing world. They are more than just simple Schools now.

"Besides passing down their skills, they also have their own goals to achieve and political ideologies to advance."

Chen Chuan mulled this over. It resonated with what Instructor Wen had said earlier. ’Violence is the foundation of everything.’ If a School that controlled violence was powerful enough, it would naturally possess the ability to influence and change the rules.

Instructor Wen continued, "These Schools wield broad influence over both nations and corporations. Currently, there are five with the most influence, and the Pure Sect, my School, is one of them.

"Your teacher, He Xiaoxing... his own teacher was once a senior member of our Pure Sect. However, due to that senior’s personal wishes, He Xiaoxing was not brought into the fold at the time. It wasn’t until four years ago that he officially joined the Pure Sect under my recommendation."

A thought occurred to Chen Chuan. ’That timing... it must have been after the incident with Shen Zheng. It seems Teacher He might have intended to use the Pure Sect’s power to deal with the Molan Company and the powerful figures in Yangzhi.’

Instructor Wen smiled. "The Pure Sect can help you get what you need. The condition, as you’ve likely guessed, is that you must join us."

Chen Chuan looked up. "Instructor Wen, what are the conditions for joining the Pure Sect?"

Instead of answering immediately, Instructor Wen asked, "What are your views on Implants?"

Chen Chuan considered this for a moment before speaking frankly. "Implants are a necessary technology in the current fight against the other world. As the technology advances, their role is bound to become more and more significant.

"Personally, however, if I have the choice, I would rather not rely on Implants to enhance myself. I have more faith in power cultivated purely through one’s own efforts."

Instructor Wen smiled and nodded, then asked, "And what is your stance on the beings from the other world?"

Chen Chuan answered cautiously, "I’ve had a few encounters with the beings from the other side, but it wasn’t enough to form a complete picture. I can’t claim to understand them, but from what I’ve seen, I do not want them invading our world."

Instructor Wen pressed on, "And if one day you discovered you could use their power to achieve your goals? What would you choose?"

Chen Chuan glanced at the Second Self standing nearby and said without a hint of hesitation, "On the path of power, I trust only myself."

Instructor Wen nodded, a smile gracing his lips. "The ’purity’ in Pure Sect refers, first and foremost, to the purity of the self. Our combat philosophy is to use the unadulterated human body to reach the zenith of martial power, and we live by that principle. Anyone who agrees with this philosophy, possesses a genuine desire to follow it, and passes our evaluation can join and become one of us."

"An evaluation?" Chen Chuan nodded. ’That’s to be expected. No established organization would recruit members indiscriminately.’

Instructor Wen said, "The School evaluates and supports talented individuals and promising members of the younger generation. If they are deemed qualified, they are given an opportunity to be brought into the fold.

"In fact, Teacher He began evaluating you the moment he started teaching you Pure Sect techniques. Him asking me to guide you later was a further step in that evaluation. My giving you the booklet was a sign of our willingness to accept you."

He smiled. "Manager Chen, you are an exceptional talent. Your history is clear, and you have Old He to act as your guarantor. Therefore, I am more than willing to be your sponsor and formally invite you to join our School."

He paused. "But there is something I must make clear. For our general members, there aren’t many restrictions. They are free to come and go as they please. However, the assistance they receive is correspondingly limited.

"However, if you wish to obtain Pure Essence and receive more substantial support, then after applying, and in addition to having a guarantor and a sponsor, you will have to undergo a much stricter evaluation.

"If you pass that step, you will be qualified to inherit the Pure Sect’s core Fighting Skills and receive greater resource support. But at the same time, more will be required of you, and there will be rules you must abide by.

"If you agree to these terms, you will become an inner member of the School. Once that happens, you can’t just leave whenever you want."

Instructor Wen’s expression grew serious. "And you must understand this: because the School has its own ideology to champion, it will inevitably face obstacles. By joining us, you will get what you want, but you will also gain enemies you must fight. Think it over carefully."

Chen Chuan nodded slightly. He understood the implications. This was only natural. To gain something, one must be prepared to pay a price.

He was also keenly aware that to continue climbing higher, he would inevitably have to align himself with some powerful faction. Otherwise, he would be on his own, facing organized groups intent on suppressing him. It would be nearly impossible to stand against them alone.

After a moment’s thought, he looked up and smiled. "Instructor Wen, would you be willing to be my sponsor?"

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