Upon hearing the knock on the door, Chen Ran knew the main guests had arrived.
Nannan was about to put on her shoes to open the door, but Chen Ran stopped her.
"Keep watching TV. They're probably here for me," Chen Ran said with a smile.
Nannan nodded, seemingly understanding, and continued watching TV.
It wasn't a life-or-death romance or a saccharine melodrama, but a rather educational cartoon. Since this world had entered the Knight Era, entertainment was still available, but policies from top to bottom prioritized education above all else.
Chen Ran found this quite good.
It was like before his transmigration.
The world hadn't changed at all yet; it was still an ordinary, everyday world with well-developed entertainment. However, the rampant growth of entertainment had led to a series of problems.
Makka Pakka was relatively benign; it was shows like Peppa Pig that truly gave Chen Ran a headache.
Chen Ran tidied his collar and walked to the door in a few strides.
He opened it.
As he expected, it wasn't just representatives from the Great Xia Knight Academy who had come.
He observed them discreetly.
Reading people and discerning situations were crucial aspects of social interaction.
Having lived two lives, Chen Ran was certainly not an ignorant greenhorn.
This group of four was clearly not of one mind.
They were obviously not from the same place.
Take the three major knight academies, for instance.
They were currently in a state of direct competition.
If there was any commonality among them, it was that they all hailed from Shenjing.
That was, without a doubt, the capital of the Great Xia Kingdom!
Xia He was about to speak.
Regardless of anything else,
He was the true initiator of this "invitation."
Terms could be negotiated.
But leaving a good impression on Chen Ran was undoubtedly important.
When it came to recruitment, they were the professionals!
Mo Shanhe and Ji Yi did not vie for the opportunity.
Good wine needs no bush.
If Xia He was willing to take the lead and probe the situation, it was understandable.
However, someone was faster than Xia He.
Sun Zhiming's bulky physique blocked Xia He.
He smiled at Chen Ran and said, "You must be Chen Ran. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Sun Zhiming, affiliated with the Hand of God. We are here primarily to recruit you into our organization. This is your honor."
The Hand of God?
Chen Ran raised an eyebrow.
To be honest,
Since his transmigration, awakening his system, enduring the college entrance examination, and traveling through time to the Battle Arena world, he had been extremely busy. He knew something about the three major knight academies, but as for the Hand of God... did it count that he had only vaguely heard the name spoken by Fang Wen, that big-mouthed fellow?
However, given that they came with representatives from the three major knight academies, their status was evidently not low.
The Hand of God organization did not fall under the purview of the knight academies.
They specialized in an elite path.
Yet, they could contend with the three major knight academies!
But still,
Regardless of the Hand of God's situation, Chen Ran directly dismissed it. In fact, he had already found his own unique evolutionary path. Even without joining a knight academy, or joining one rated as third-tier, it wouldn't make much difference.
Knight cards, self-evolution, combat experience...
There was very little the school could help him with!
The main reason he chose to join was
The protection of his family, as a prodigy invited to one of the three major knight academies.
As he grew stronger, there were many who would target him.
Moreover, Chen Ran himself would inevitably travel to other worlds.
The safety of his home had to be ensured!
Other knight academies could naturally provide similar benefits, but the three major academies possessed profound foundations. In terms of the overall "returns" they could offer Chen Ran, they were far superior to any other academy.
Besides, Chen Ran passing the university entrance exam was his grandmother's lifelong dream.
Chen Ran had achieved it in his previous life.
Unfortunately, his grandmother was no longer there...
This time, no matter what, he would achieve it!
And due to his unique evolutionary growth method,
Chen Ran sought freedom.
As things stood,
Chen Ran still clung to his previous idea.
Dragon Tiger Knight Academy...
Chen Ran smiled faintly without speaking, his gaze shifting to the other three.
It wasn't that he was deliberately ignoring Sun Zhiming.
It was mainly because that scoundrel was so irritating.
He put on airs as soon as he arrived.
And it's your honor?
Honor your head!
If Chen Ran hadn't transformed and instead delivered a Dimensional Knight Kick, it would have been considered quite lenient.
His grandmother had told him not to be impetuous in dealing with people.
Of course, that was when he could tolerate it.
Xia He's heart leaped with joy, and he immediately stepped forward.
"Classmate Chen Ran, I am Xia He. We spoke on the phone earlier."
Chen Ran nodded.
He had an impression of Xia He.
"Classmate Chen Ran, I am Mo Shanhe, from Shenjing Knight Academy."
"Ji Yi, Dragon Tiger Knight Academy. Classmate Chen Ran, it's a pleasure to meet you."
She said with a smile.
Thus,
The three major knight academies, with the addition of the Hand of God, were all present.
These names, individually, were renowned far and wide!
Sun Zhiming's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
In the past,
The name of the Hand of God alone was more famous than the three major knight academies, and countless people dreamed of joining. The reason was simple: not everyone who could join the three major knight academies was a top global genius, but those recognized by the Hand of God were absolutely world-class talents!
There was no doubt about that.
But now?
He had already introduced himself, yet Chen Ran showed no reaction, not even acknowledging him.
He had absolutely no manners!
Sun Zhiming was tempted to leave in a huff.
He believed Chen Ran would regret this day.
However, his mission from above was to invite Chen Ran to join the Hand of God.
He had some connections within the organization but was not one of the main decision-makers.
If he left like this and it was exposed,
He would be severely punished, if not worse.
So, he suppressed his inner displeasure.
He continued, "Our Hand of God is a gathering place for the world's geniuses, encompassing talents from all over the globe, including prodigies from across the ocean. If you join, you will not regret it."
Sun Zhiming believed that Chen Ran, hailing from a small town, might not have heard of the Hand of God organization.
Therefore, he proudly elaborated on it.
Chen Ran merely scoffed.
"Across the ocean" again.
"God" again.
And the condescending attitude.
No wonder he found it so irritating.
This Sun Zhiming was a sellout, a traitor to his own people who fawned over foreigners.
Chen Ran's already low impression of him plummeted to negative.
"I apologize, Mr. Sun Zhiming, but I have no interest in joining the Hand of God organization."
Chen Ran shook his head and flatly refused.
This was a clear rejection!
Sun Zhiming's eyes widened.
He hadn't expected Chen Ran to be so unappreciative.
He let out a cold snort and uttered, "You will surely regret this!"
He then turned and left in a huff.
...