Mo Han's story was unbelievable to Shen Hao — but he had no choice but to accept it.
After all, the thing speaking to him was a spirit older than the solar system.
Shen Hao took a deep breath, trying to absorb everything, then asked:
"Okay, I get it now, old man... but what's in it for me?
Why should I become your disciple?"
Mo Han's eyes widened with surprise.
"Come on, kid! You could become unbelievably powerful — able to do whatever you want!"
"I don't want to be powerful," Shen Hao replied, arms crossed. "My life's been going pretty well — at least, it was going well before you showed up."
Mo Han leaned forward.
"If you become my student, you'll be able to travel the universe. You'll get to visit other solar systems, witness celestial phenomena, and learn things no human has ever known!"
The moment Shen Hao heard that, something sparked in him. He had always been fascinated by the universe — black holes, other planets, the vastness of space. The idea of seeing Earth from the cosmos with his own eyes... it was a childhood dream.
"Wait, are you serious?" he asked, eyes lit with excitement.
"I could actually travel through space if I become your disciple?"
"Of course!" Mo Han replied confidently.
"Then I, Shen Hao, am willing to become Master Mo Han's disciple!"
Mo Han smiled, visibly relieved.
"Then I, Mo Han, accept you, Shen Hao, as my second disciple."
He added, "Your training will begin tomorrow. I'll start with some basics. But for now, you need rest. I've been absorbing your energy for the past four months."
"WAIT — WHAT!?" Shen Hao shouted, stunned.
"So you're the reason I've been so lazy lately!?"
"He—hey! Listen, kid. I had to absorb energy. I was asleep in the Earth's core for millions of years. Waking up wasn't exactly easy," Mo Han said, raising his hands defensively.
Shen Hao sighed and calmed down.
"It doesn't matter now. There are more important things and... mysteries to solve."
With that, Shen Hao turned in for the night.
The Next Day
"Shen Hao! Come on, wake up — it's already 1:00 PM!"
His mother's voice echoed from downstairs.
"Come eat some breakfast!"
Shen Hao slowly got up, still groggy. He cleaned up, got dressed, and went down. His family had already finished eating, so he sat alone, flipping on the TV while he ate.
The news anchor on-screen looked serious:
"Good afternoon. This is the International General News Station reporting live.
Today, at exactly 8:00 AM, a sudden tornado formed in Luodao City.
What's strange is that it stopped moving at 10:00 AM and is still standing in place.
Its diameter is approximately 3.7 kilometers — another unusual anomaly."
Shen Hao heard a familiar voice echo in his head.
"Shen Hao... Shen Hao..."
"Old man? Is that you again?" Shen Hao asked quietly.
"Yes. I've been with you for four months — I see what you see.
And if I'm not wrong, Luodao City isn't far from here, right?"
"Yeah, it's about seven kilometers away. Why?" Shen Hao asked, curious.
"We need to go there. Immediately."
"What!? Why would I go near a dangerous tornado!? That's suicide!"
"This tornado... it's strange. And I think I might know why.
There may be something hidden inside — something very special, something that could be crucial for your cultivation."
"You're saying there's something in the tornado that I need?"
"Exactly. If I'm right, it could help you advance far faster than normal. We can't waste time."
Shen Hao hesitated.
"But how am I supposed to go there? My mom and brothers are at home — they won't let me out with this broken leg! And even if I get past them... how am I supposed to walk seven kilometers like this!?"
"Oh... oh... don't worry about that part," Mo Han said with a mischievous tone.
"Just relax... and let me show you the magic of a higher being."