Chapter 25: The Palace of the War God

“You want to join the Palace of War Gods?!”

Upon hearing Jiang Chen’s request, Lu Gang was filled with doubt and explained, “Mr. Jiang, in principle, the Palace of War Gods only admits those who are at least at the War God level. Unless joining as service staff, but that way, you won’t enjoy any of the benefits of membership. Strength is a strict requirement set jointly by the eight great powers, and no one can change that.”

“I’m already at the Planetary level,” Jiang Chen replied, activating the miniature planet within his body to release a repulsive force, counteracting gravity and causing himself to float gently upward.

Seeing this, Lu Gang’s eyes widened in shock, and he couldn’t help but wonder if he was dreaming. As a veteran War God, Lu Gang had met several council members before and could tell at a glance that Jiang Chen was not using psychic power to fly, but truly relying on the special abilities of a Planetary-level being.

This was the most obvious sign of reaching the Planetary level, impossible to fake.

But…

Jiang Chen was only nineteen years old!

A nineteen-year-old at the Planetary level?!

He himself was well into his fifties and still only a War God, not even at the peak, with no hope of breaking through to the Planetary level. Even ‘Hong’ and ‘Thunder God,’ the most powerful people on Earth, had spent many years to reach the Planetary level.

It had certainly taken them longer than Jiang Chen.

Though he hadn’t seen Jiang Chen in action, just this speed of advancement alone suggested that surpassing ‘Hong’ and ‘Thunder God’ in the future was far from impossible.

For a moment, Lu Gang found himself questioning everything he knew.

“Does this meet the requirements for joining the Palace of War Gods?” Jiang Chen’s voice called Lu Gang out of his daze.

Lu Gang felt an overwhelming mix of emotions but forced himself to remain calm. “Mr. Jiang, since you possess Planetary-level strength, joining the Palace of War Gods will be no problem. In fact, you’ll immediately become a council member, a status far above that of a War God. However, we still need to follow the proper procedures. I’ll make some contacts and get back to you later, if that’s alright?”

Upon learning that Jiang Chen had reached the Planetary level, Lu Gang’s attitude became all the more respectful and cautious.

Previously, Lu Gang had respected Jiang Chen because his inventions had saved countless warriors’ lives—a scientist worthy of honor.

Now, though, it was the respect given to someone whose power exceeded his own.

“Very well,” Jiang Chen agreed with a nod. “Sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Lu Gang replied at once. “I’ll make the calls now and let you know as soon as I have an answer.”

With that, he immediately left the villa to make his calls outside.

Less than an hour later, Li Dawei personally arrived at the Mingyue Community to see Jiang Chen.

In the reception room, Li Dawei took a cup of tea from Jiang Chen. Even having mentally prepared himself, he was still deeply shaken by the display of Planetary-level power he had just witnessed.

After a moment to collect himself, Li Dawei got to the point. “Mr. Jiang, there are usually two ways to join the Palace of War Gods. The first is to hunt monsters yourself and obtain a ‘level certification.’ Once you complete the certification, you can join directly. For instance, to certify as a War God, you need to slay two Lord-level monsters. For council member status, you must slay at least one King-level monster.”

This was the same path that Luo Feng had taken in the original story—hunting monsters and using their corpses as proof of achievement to directly gain War God status.

Of course, to become a council member, one needed to achieve council member-level feats.

King-level monsters referred to Planetary-level creatures, usually those from Planetary level one to five.

Monsters above Planetary level six were called ‘Emperor-level monsters’ on Earth, and only three were known to exist, all hidden deep in the oceans.

“Hunt a King-level monster?” Jiang Chen frowned.

With his Planetary level five psychic power, handling a weaker King-level monster shouldn’t be a problem, at least in theory.

But when it came to actual combat, Jiang Chen had no confidence in his abilities.

If he took this route, he’d need to hunt a few Lord-level monsters first to practice and, only once he felt assured, attempt a King-level monster. That would take a considerable amount of time.

Jiang Chen didn’t consider himself a prodigy in combat. Even performing at his expected level, it would likely take several months.

If he spent that time in the system’s library instead, he might well advance several more levels.

“The second path,” Li Dawei continued, “is by recommendation from the eight major powers, but this is limited to our own members. For example, as a high-ranking officer in the military, I can recommend War Gods or council members from the military to join the Palace without a trial. Of course, if anyone is found to have concealed or falsified information, we in the military would be punished accordingly.”

“So, if I want to join the Palace of War Gods, I either have to hunt a King-level monster or join the military or another one of the eight major powers?” Jiang Chen asked, frowning.

“That’s not necessary,” Li Dawei shook his head. “If Mr. Jiang doesn’t wish to hunt monsters in the wild or join a particular power, you only need to get a joint recommendation from three of the eight powers. After a review, you could join the Palace as a ‘free agent.’ Luckily, here in Jiangnan Base City, aside from the military, the Limit Martial Hall, Thunder Martial Hall, and the HR Alliance all have branches. As long as you win the support of any two of them, that will suffice. I can help you contact them, but you’ll need to demonstrate your council member-level abilities.”

“I see…” Jiang Chen considered for a moment, then said, “Then I’ll trouble you to make the arrangements, Elder Li. The [Boxer] project is at a critical stage, and I’m afraid I don’t have time to hunt monsters.”

Lack of time was just an excuse, but a very convenient one.

For months now, Li Dawei had been deeply invested in the progress of [Boxer], often probing for updates.

Hearing that the project was at a critical juncture, Li Dawei wouldn’t dare let Jiang Chen be distracted. He immediately promised, “Leave it to me. Within a week at most, I’ll make sure you become a council member of the Palace of War Gods!”

If Jiang Chen lacked the necessary strength, Li Dawei would never have made such a promise.

But Jiang Chen was genuinely at the Planetary level; all that was needed was to call in a few ‘old friends’ for a joint recommendation, skipping some of the more tedious procedures—nothing to worry about later.

A few days later, Li Dawei brought over the local leaders of the Limit Martial Hall and Thunder Martial Hall in Jiangnan Base City. After Jiang Chen demonstrated his Planetary-level abilities and strength, his admission to the Palace of War Gods was finalized.