Chapter 1: Luo Feng

The sky was a brilliant blue, resembling a colossal sapphire. The summer sun, like a blazing fireball, hung high in the middle of this giant azure gem. Judging by its position, it was probably around three o’clock in the afternoon.

Yi’an District’s Third High School.

“Ding-ding-ding…” The resonant chime echoed through the entire campus, unleashing a tidal wave of youthful chatter. From every academic hall, rivers of students cascaded forth in clusters of three or five, their laughter and animated conversations weaving through the air as they streamed toward the grand iron gates.

“Brother Luo Feng! Brother Luo Feng!” a thick, hearty voice called out.

“Ah Feng, someone’s calling you.”

Among the crowd of students, a young man was walking alongside his classmates, holding a book. He wore a simple blue tracksuit and stood about 1.75 meters tall, his lean frame giving him a wiry appearance. He turned his head in confusion, looking toward the voice. The one calling him was a taller boy, nearly 1.9 meters tall, with a broad, bear-like physique and arms so thick they were astonishing.

“Do I know you?” Luo Feng asked, puzzled, as he didn’t seem to recognize the man before him.

One of the two was a hulking mass of muscle, like a black bear, while the so-called “Brother Luo Feng” looked like an average person.

In terms of height…

There was a stark contrast between the two. Yet, the muscular young man appeared somewhat nervous, carefully observing the “Brother Luo Feng” he so admired. He thought to himself, “Looks like the rumors are true—Brother Luo Feng really is approachable.”

“Brother Luo Feng, I—I need your help with something,” the muscular boy said hesitantly.

“What is it?” Luo Feng smiled and asked.

“When I practice my punches, the way I deliver the force always feels off. I was wondering if you could spare some time to guide me,” the muscular boy explained eagerly. “According to what the martial arts instructor said, with my strength, I should be able to deliver punches with 50% more power than normal. But I just can’t seem to reach that level.”

The muscular boy gazed at Luo Feng with hopeful eyes.

“Oh, I see…” Luo Feng paused briefly before nodding. “Alright, come find me at the martial arts hall this Sunday afternoon.”

“Thank you, Brother Luo Feng! Thank you so much!” the muscular boy exclaimed gratefully.

Luo Feng smiled and walked away with his classmate.

Watching Luo Feng leave, the muscular boy’s face lit up with excitement. He clenched his fist tightly, veins bulging, and let out a low, excited growl: “Success!”

“Brother Luo Feng actually agreed so easily?” a boy in a school uniform said in astonishment.

“The rumors really are true—Brother Luo Feng is approachable and kind-hearted,” the muscular boy grinned.

“But… wait, in our Third High School, with nearly five thousand students, only three have earned the title of ‘Advanced Martial Arts Student.’ And of those three, the other two—Zhang Haobai and Liu Ting—are quite arrogant and never waste time guiding us,” the boy in the uniform said, puzzled. “How come Brother Luo Feng is so nice?”

In today’s world, students in nearly every high school across various countries receive both academic education and martial arts training to unlock their physical potential.

Yi’an District’s Third High School had nearly five thousand students across three grades.

The vast majority were novice martial disciples, with merely a handful reaching the intermediate tier. Only three had attained the exalted rank of Master-Level Martial Disciple!

“Hearing is believing, seeing is believing. Hmph, you saw it yourself—Brother Luo Feng is nothing like the other two,” the muscular boy scoffed. “Zhang Haobai and Liu Ting both come from wealthy families. They’ve had massive investments in training from a young age to reach their strength. Brother Luo Feng is different—he’s just like us!”

The boy in the uniform nodded. “I’ve heard that too. Brother Luo Feng comes from an average family, living in public housing.”

“Exactly! Brother Luo Feng’s achievements are entirely due to his hard work and dedication. He carved his path with his own fists and feet. Unlike Zhang Haobai and the others,” the muscular boy clenched his fist tightly, taking a deep breath. “My goal is to become like Brother Luo Feng. I will definitely pass the martial arts hall’s assessment within four years—before I graduate from university—andearn the title of ‘Advanced Martial Arts Student’!”

…

At that moment, the very “Brother Luo Feng” they were discussing was walking toward the gates of Third High School with another boy in a tracksuit, moving with the stream of students.

“Ah Feng, heh, that big guy who asked you for advice on delivering punches was still talking about you as he left,” the tracksuit boy chuckled. “He was praising you, saying how kind and approachable you are.”

Luo Feng smiled. “What? Wei Wen, are you jealous?”

“Jealous of you?” Wei Wen rubbed his nose and grinned. “Dream on! I’m just amazed that the big guy doesn’t know the real ‘Brother Luo Feng’ he admires. I clearly remember, back at the martial arts hall, his ‘Brother Luo Feng’ took on three opponents in a row and left three advanced martial artists unable to get back up.”

Luo Feng smiled.

That battle had indeed been his breakout moment.

Luo Feng patted Wei Wen on the shoulder and laughed, “Come on, let’s go home.”

Wei Wen exaggeratedly shook his shoulder and cried out, “Ah Feng, go easy on me! You hit me like that, and my shoulder’s about to break!”

“Stop pretending!” Luo Feng scoffed. Wei Wen had been his childhood friend since they were little kids playing together in diapers. Though not blood brothers, their bond was just as strong.

Elementary school, middle school, high school.

Through all these years, their friendship had grown deep.

“Hey?”

Wei Wen suddenly stared ahead. “Ah Feng, look—it’s the girl you’ve been secretly admiring!”

“Huh?” Luo Feng quickly looked up. In the crowd near the school gate, a girl with a ponytail wearing jeans and a light white polo shirt was walking along the roadside.

Luo Feng’s heart skipped a beat.

A name flashed through his mind—Xu Xin!

His secret crush was known to very few, but his best friend Wei Wen had found out long ago.

In their first year of high school, he and Xu Xin were placed in the same class. The first time he saw her, he was instantly captivated… From then on, during class, sitting in the back row, for some unknown reason, he always found himself unable to help looking at Xu Xin’s back as she sat in front of him, quietly watching her.

Just seeing Xu Xin’s back was enough to make him happy.

In their second year, the classes were reorganized, so from sophomore to senior year, he and Xu Xin were no longer in the same class. Yet, every time he saw Xu Xin, he couldn’t help but look…

“There’s only one month left until the college entrance exam,” Luo Feng thought silently. “Before, I lacked the courage and time to pursue a relationship. Now, with only the final month left, everyone is busy preparing for the exam. Xu Xin is a determined girl. How could she possibly be distracted by romance at a time like this? Besides, in this last month before the college entrance exam, I can’t afford to be distracted either, or I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”

“Forget it, this secret crush… I’ll just keep it as a memory.”

A secret crush…

It was bitter, never blooming, yet already withering.

Luo Feng just wanted to keep it all buried deep in his heart.

“You didn’t chase after Xu Xin when you had the chance. Now there’s only a month left until the college entrance exam,” Wei Wen shook his head. “After this, you might never see Xu Xin again. You’ll regret it too late.”

“Wei Wen,” Luo Feng shook his head. “Don’t say anything more. I won’t be distracted by romance until I earn the title of ‘Martial Artist.'”

“Bro, you’re tough!” Wei Wen gave him a thumbs-up. “The title of ‘Martial Artist’? Out of our entire high school of five thousand students, not a single one has earned that title. And you say you won’t get involved in romance until you get it. Impressive, truly impressive!”

“Hmm?” Luo Feng suddenly glanced at another five people at the school gate. “Zhang Haobai?”

Among the students at the school gate, a group of five stood out. At the front was a young man standing at least 1.8 meters tall, wearing a white T-shirt and white trousers, his chest muscles clearly visible. Around him were four others—some with bulky builds, others with scars on their faces, all clearly fierce individuals. The young man in the white outfit was none other than Zhang Haobai, one of the three Advanced Martial Arts Students at Yi’an District’s Third High School.

“Luofeng,” Zhang Haobai looked at Luo Feng and let out a low snort.

If there was one person in the entire high school that Zhang Haobai hated the most, it was undoubtedly Luo Feng!

After all, among the three who had earned the title of ‘Advanced Martial Arts Student,’ one was a girl. Among the male students, only the two of them were Advanced Martial Arts Students!

Moreover, Zhang Haobai came from a wealthy family, while Luo Feng was from a humble background, living in public housing.

In terms of academic performance—Luo Feng was superior to Zhang Haobai!

In terms of martial prowess—both Luo Feng and Zhang Haobai had earned the ‘Advanced Martial Arts Student’ title, but Luo Feng had once defeated three Advanced Martial Arts Students in a row at the martial arts hall, leaving them unable to rise. One of those three was ‘Zhang Haobai,’ who had even lost a tooth in that fight!

In terms of family background, Zhang Haobai’s family was clearly wealthy!

Despite his advantages, Zhang Haobai was overshadowed by Luo Feng in both academics and martial arts. Whenever someone praised Zhang Haobai at school, others would inevitably compare him to Luo Feng!

Resentment!

Zhang Haobai harbored deep resentment toward Luo Feng.

“Let’s go,” Zhang Haobai licked his teeth, which seemed to ache faintly. That fight had left him with a mouthful of blood and a missing tooth.

Since that fight at the martial arts hall, Zhang Haobai had become much more subdued and no longer dared to provoke Luo Feng, Wei Wen remarked with a smile as he watched the group leave.

Zhang Haobai?

Luo Feng had never taken that spoiled brat seriously.

“Better to avoid trouble,” Luo Feng said and walked home with Wei Wen.

…

On the way home.

“Beep—beep—” Occasionally, car horns sounded on the streets. Nowadays, cars were powered by electricity, so at least there was no longer the smell of gasoline near the roadsides.

“Wei Wen, there’s only a month left until the college entrance exam. This month, we both need to work hard,” Luo Feng walked on the sidewalk with Wei Wen. “We can temporarily ease up on training at the martial arts hall. Just do some recovery exercises each day. Our main focus should be on academic studies. The college entrance exam is crucial—we’ve studied for twelve years, and it all comes down to this one test.”

“Exactly, twelve years of academic study, and everything hinges on this one exam,” Wei Wen sighed. “The college entrance exam—it’s like crossing a narrow bridge with a sea of soldiers and horses.”

“Yeah,” Luo Feng nodded in agreement.

His family’s financial situation wasn’t great, but with his ‘Advanced Martial Arts Student’ title, he was destined to land a job as an ‘Elite Bodyguard’ regardless of how poorly he performed academically, earning a salary of two or three hundred thousand yuan annually. But… would Luo Feng be content with just being a bodyguard?

…

At that moment, about a thousand meters above Yi’an District.

A massive black-crowned golden eagle was flying over the city. Its body was about twenty meters long, resembling a large fighter jet. Its feathers faintly shimmered with a metallic sheen. The feathers on its head were jet black, like a black crown. Its sharp, massive talons were golden yellow.

Its piercing, icy blue eyes scanned the human city below, carrying a faint trace of killing intent.

“Boom!”

The black-crowned golden eagle, already flying at high speed, suddenly accelerated, instantly breaking the sound barrier and reaching a terrifying velocity. At the same time, an extremely high-pitched eagle cry erupted from the black-crowned golden eagle. The terrifying sound waves generated visible shockwaves that rapidly spread downward.

…

At a crossroads on White Field Road in Yi’an District, Luo Feng and Wei Wen were waiting for the traffic light to change.

Suddenly—

“Ah~~~”

A piercing cry suddenly rang out. This sound was different from the rumble of spring thunder. Thunder is loud and deafening! But this high-pitched cry was ear-splitting. Luo Feng felt his eardrums aching faintly, causing him some discomfort as he frowned. Many pedestrians on the street covered their ears.

“It’s the cry of a flying creature,” Luo Feng couldn’t help but look up at the sky.

“Huh?” Luo Feng was startled.

Under the piercing cry, the massive glass panes on a skyscraper near the street emitted low “crack~crack~~” sounds. Many panes developed cracks, and indeed, more than ten panes fell from the height. Some shattered on the sidewalk, hitting people, while others landed on the streetlights by the roadside.

“Crash!” “Boom!” “Crackle!”…

A series of explosive sounds filled the air.

One of the glass panes landed on a streetlight beside Luo Feng and shattered, scattering fragments in all directions, prompting many pedestrians to dodge hastily.

“Wow!” Wei Wen quickly stepped back two paces to avoid the flying glass shards.

One shard, like a blade, shot toward Luo Feng.

“Hmm?” Luo Feng glanced at it.

He didn’t dodge but stood calmly in place. His right hand shot out like lightning, instantly catching the flying shard. The glass fragment faintly reflected Luo Feng’s image. He weighed it in his hand twice, then casually threw it. The shard flew like a hidden weapon straight into a distant trash can with a clang, accurately entering through the opening.

On the road, the affected traffic quickly returned to normal, while pedestrians on the sidewalk began to chatter. Some unlucky individuals were injured, but most were unscathed.

“Amazing,” Luo Feng couldn’t help but look up at the sky. “A single cry from such a height, and it’s this powerful. It must be a very formidable flying beast. Wei Wen, you’re pretty familiar with all kinds of beasts. Do you know what kind of beast this is?”

Wei Wen narrowed his eyes, his gaze gleaming with excitement. “Ah Feng, our city has a defense system at 500 meters altitude. This flying beast must be flying higher than that. From such a distance, its cry still has such power. Besides, ordinary beasts wouldn’t dare to be so audacious over a human city!”

“So powerful, so arrogant, and based on the sound, if I’m not mistaken… it must be the terrifying ‘Black-Crowned Golden Eagle’ among flying beasts!” Wei Wen said solemnly.

“Black-Crowned Golden Eagle?” Luo Feng’s eyes lit up.

He had, of course, heard of the Black-Crowned Golden Eagle’s reputation.

“The Black-Crowned Golden Eagle ranks third among eagle-type beasts,” Wei Wen’s eyes sparkled as he spoke lowly. “An adult Black-Crowned Golden Eagle generally reaches a body length of 21 meters, with a wingspan of about 36 meters. Its maximum flight speed can reach 3.9 Mach. That’s 3.9 times the speed of sound. If we take the speed of sound as 340 meters per second, that translates to 1,326 meters per second, or 4,774 kilometers per hour.”

Luo Feng knew the Black-Crowned Golden Eagle was powerful, but hearing about its maximum speed of 1,326 meters per second still made his heart race.

In just one second, the blink of an eye, it could travel over a kilometer.

“This Black-Crowned Golden Eagle has feathers harder than diamonds, probably reaching the hardness of Grade 3 Kro alloy,” Wei Wen continued excitedly. “There are videos online showing the Black-Crowned Golden Eagle charging into military forces alongside beast swarms. It was hit by a 20mm Vulcan cannon, which fires 7,000 rounds per minute—7,000 rounds! That’s a stream of metal bullets! Each round can penetrate a 50mm thick steel plate. Yet, the Vulcan cannon’s relentless barrage, hitting the Black-Crowned Golden Eagle, couldn’t even knock off a single feather.”

“Later, a mysterious martial artist, wielding a Kro alloy battle sword, turned into a streak of light and split the Black-Crowned Golden Eagle in two!” Wei Wen said, his voice filled with passion.

Luo Feng’s heart raced, his blood boiling!

That video had spread widely online, and he had seen it too.

“I will definitely earn the title of ‘Martial Artist.’ One day… I will be like that senior, wielding a battle sword, cleaving beasts like the Black-Crowned Golden Eagle and the Demon Ape with one strike,” Luo Feng silently vowed. Every young person has a dream in their heart, and Luo Feng had such a dream!

Although…

The mysterious martial artist who split the Black-Crowned Golden Eagle in two with a single strike was ranked among the top 100 super martial artists internationally, according to online reports.

“Ah Feng, Ah Feng, what are you thinking about? We’re home,” Wei Wen called out.

Luo Feng finally snapped out of his exhilarating thoughts and looked up ahead. Before him was a neighborhood made up of many old apartment buildings—the South Bank Community, a public housing estate built by the government. This was Luo Feng’s home, the place he had lived for eighteen years.