"Yes, sir!"

The Black Armored Warrior was stunned.

Not only had Xu Zhongguo agreed to let Chu Lingguang have the Dragon Claw Branch sent out, he was even arranging a personal delivery. The warrior didn’t question it. Word had long since spread through the Trial Ground: Chu Lingguang had cut down the tree to fulfill a promise, paying the heavy price of having his talent demoted from Celestial Rank to A Class.

Everyone could say Chu Lingguang was stupid or a blockhead.

But they all had to admit, Chu Lingguang was a man worth teaching.

That was why this Black Armored Warrior was willing to make the trip for Chu Lingguang. Coincidentally, it was he who, just over two months ago, had led the team that took Chu Lingguang from Zhuoyi and escorted him to the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

On that day, he had tested Chu Lingguang’s Spear Technique and, like Zhuoyi, had mistakenly believed Chu Lingguang had grasped the True Meaning of Spear Technique, which had led to some embarrassment.

Now, helping Chu Lingguang deliver the Dragon Claw Branch gave Pan Tonghui the perfect opportunity to see what kind of man Guo Wei was to have taught such a character.

He had heard the name Guo Wei from his younger brother, Pan Tongguang, on more than one occasion.

And so, Pan Tonghui led a six-man squad, charging out of the Trial Ground on their warhorses. They weaved through the Hundred Thousand Mountains, deliberately taking a small path toward the town on the other side.

Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei had been corresponding frequently a while back, so the Trial Ground had records of which tavern in town Guo Wei was staying at.

Several hours later, Pan Tonghui’s six-man squad finally emerged from the Hundred Thousand Mountains and plunged into the small town, heading for a tavern.

"Master Guo, please, just contact Chu Lingguang. Tell him to stay away from the Dragon Claw Tree. My foster father is furious now that he knows about this, and it’s all my fault."

Inside the tavern, Du Wushuang pleaded, her face full of shame.

Trainees in the Trial Ground often sent letters out, and the matter of Chu Lingguang and the Dragon Claw Tree had already spread through the noble circles.

Chu Lingguang had finally made it onto the shortlist for the best candidate, only to neglect his training over a single Dragon Claw Branch. Many people were treating it as a joke.

And the only person who could order Chu Lingguang to give up now was Guo Wei.

For this reason, Mr. Du had sent Zhuoyi and Du Wushuang to the small town several days ago, hoping to have Guo Wei write a letter to Chu Lingguang to keep him from going astray.

"You’ve done nothing wrong. To others, it may look like Lin Guang insisted on cutting down a Dragon Claw Branch for your sake, but he and I both know he’s doing this primarily for himself. Let’s just wait and see what happens. Becoming the best candidate was already fraught with difficulties for him. Rather than chasing an impossible goal, it’s better to conquer his fear and surpass himself."

Guo Wei said with a serious expression.

He had already said this several times.

Upon hearing this, Du Wushuang and Zhuoyi could only sigh again.

"Master Guo is right. The fact that Chu Lingguang was able to obtain the training resources for someone with Celestial Rank talent in the Trial Ground is already beyond our expectations. Let’s just wait for him to come out together now!"

Du Juan was there as well. After a few days, she, too, had come to understand. ’Guo Wei is Chu Lingguang’s revered master. If he isn’t worried, why should the rest of us be?’

CLIP-CLOP-CLOP.

Just then, the sound of urgent hoofbeats approached.

A moment later, the neighing of horses sounded right outside the tavern entrance. Before anyone could investigate, seven Black Armored Warriors burst through the door.

"My lords."

The tavern keeper, flustered, went forward to receive them.

Pan Tonghui pushed him aside with a hand and said to the room, "Which one of you is Guo Wei?"

"I am."

Guo Wei replied, rising to his feet.

His heart sank. These seven Black Armored Warriors had arrived with such an imposing air. ’Could something have really happened to Chu Lingguang?’

Pan Tonghui’s gaze swept over, and he was immediately drawn to Guo Wei’s towering figure. He also noticed some familiar faces: Zhuoyi, Du Wushuang, and Du Juan.

He led his men forward and cupped his fist to Guo Wei. "Master Guo, your disciple, Chu Lingguang, asked me to deliver something to you."

"Oh? Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Guo Wei was taken aback, then breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Pan Tonghui gestured, and one of his men immediately brought forward a large brocade box. Pan Tonghui presented the box to Guo Wei with both hands and said, "Master Guo, you have a fine disciple!"

Guo Wei quickly opened the brocade box.

Inside lay a branch the size of an adult’s arm. It was pitch-black with scale-like patterns covering its surface, giving it a ferocious appearance. It was none other than a Dragon Claw Branch.

Guo Wei’s heart trembled, and his eyes reddened slightly. He cupped his fist again and said, "You’ve had a long journey, sir. Please, allow me to host a welcome meal for you."

"That won’t be necessary. We must return to report. Master Guo, thank you for teaching my younger brother Spear Technique for a few days. My brother’s name is Pan Tongguang. He’s now in the Imperial Guard in the Imperial City and met Chu Lingguang at Qiling Academy. I never expected that one day I would meet not only Chu Lingguang, but you as well."

Pan Tonghui removed the black armor from his face, revealing his true features. He was a battle-hardened man of about thirty with ordinary looks, bearing a slight resemblance to Pan Tongguang.

"To be able to meet General Pan is my great honor."

Guo Wei said respectfully.

"Hahaha."

Pan Tonghui put his face armor back on. Before leaving, he said, "Master Guo, Chu Lingguang is a man of loyalty and righteousness. His diligence puts even us in the Black Armored Army to shame. However, I have some unfortunate news to tell you. Although Chu Lingguang succeeded in cutting down a Dragon Claw Branch, his talent was demoted from Celestial Rank to A Class. He’s still on the shortlist for the best candidate, but it’s now impossible for him to be chosen. Still, from what I saw, he didn’t seem disheartened at all. I’m sure you won’t blame him either, Master Guo."

"Thank you for telling me, General Pan. Lin Guang has his own path to walk, and I will be there to watch him walk it."

Guo Wei said with a smile.

"Hahahaha, take care, Master Guo."

Pan Tonghui laughed heartily again. ’What master under heaven doesn’t hope for their disciple to make a name for themselves? Chu Lingguang gave up his chance to become the best candidate for a single Dragon Claw Branch, yet not only does Guo Wei not blame him, he actually supports him.’