The Governor's son acted with extreme arrogance, hurling insults. "Who do you think you are?" he barked.
The MC looked at him coldly. "I'll give you one chance. What is your name?"
"My name is Lu Chen," the boy spat.
"Lu Chen. Nice name," the MC replied calmly. "I'll give you an offer: join my team."
Lu Chen laughed, "Why should I?" But suddenly, the MC released a terrifying Aura. Lu Chen, who was only at Level 3, began to tremble with fear. He tried to regain his pride, shouting, "Do you even know who my father is?"
The MC didn't flinch. "You are just the son of a Governor from a tiny, insignificant city. This country is vast, and your city sits in a lonely corner. You are a small fish in a small pond."
Lu Chen fell silent. He realized the gap in their power.
"Join me," the MC continued, "and I will make you famous across the entire country. You will have my protection; all you have to do is follow my lead."
Seeing no other choice and feeling the MC's power, Lu Chen bowed. "Yes... I will join your team."
"Good," the MC said. "From today, you are a General of the Die Family. Now, I need to recruit more members."
The Governor's CrisisLu Chen invited the MC to his home. As they entered the manor, a butler ran out screaming, "Young Master! Your father... he collapsed!"
Lu Chen rushed inside. "What happened? Where are my older brother and sister?"
The butler trembled. "The Princess of the Nu Dynasty took them away. They won't be back for a week."
Lu Chen reached his father's side. The Governor looked weak. "Father, are you okay?"
"I am fine, son," the Governor whispered, "but I have bad news. The King ordered your brother and sister to escort the Princess to the Northern Lands."
Lu Chen's face went pale with rage. "The Northern Lands? That is the most dangerous place in the country! Even Level 5 martial artists die there. My siblings are only Level 4 (Low Stage)! I'm taking my army to save them!"
The Training BeginsLu Chen turned to the MC and pleaded, "Lord, please! Help me save my brother and sister!"
The MC remained calm. "Listen, Lu Chen. We must wait. I am close to a breakthrough. I need to level up before we head north."
"How long, Lord?" Lu Chen asked desperately.
"Three days," the MC replied. "But first, I need a dangerous place to train."
Lu Chen pointed toward the horizon. "To the South lies a deadly jungle filled with monsters."
The scene shifts to the Southern Jungle. For three days, the MC battles ferocious beasts of Level 5 and Level 6, pushing his body to the absolute limit. After the third day, the MC returns to the Governor's manor, his aura sharper than ever.
He looks at Lu Chen and says, "The time has come. Let's go to the Northern Lands."