The sun blazed down upon the broad training field of Yi'An 3rd High School in the Zhi'An Region. Rows of students stood in formation, dressed in standard-issue black combat suits, each holding a wooden training spear. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, steel, and dust.
Li Wei stood quietly at the end of the formation, his gaze distant. The sunlight glinted off his dark hair as he observed the others. So this is where Luo Feng begins his rise… Yi'An 3rd High School, the birthplace of Earth's first true warrior of fate. He adjusted his breathing rhythm—one he'd long since perfected—though his concealed strength was far beyond what any instrument here could detect. Inside, his real body pulsed with terrifying God of War–level cell vitality, hidden perfectly beneath the illusion of an ordinary high school senior.
"Alright, class!" Instructor Zhou Heng, a tall man with a muscular frame, barked. "Today we'll test reaction time and neural response speed. Step into the scanner when your name's called."
One by one, students stepped into the silver pod. When it was Luo Feng's turn, whispers spread through the crowd. "It's Luo Feng! He'll break twenty four meters per second again." "No way, that's already top-tier soldier level!" "He's practically a genius!"
Li Wei smiled faintly from the line. Yes, Luo Feng… show me the spark that will one day split universes.
The digital timer blinked rapidly: 24.5 m/s — Perfect Control.
The instructor's eyes widened slightly. "Good! Excellent neural speed. Luo Feng." A few students clapped.
"Next, Li Wei."
The crowd quieted. The transfer student, rumored to be from a powerful family. Li Wei stepped forward calmly, his posture relaxed and his expression unreadable. The scanner's interior hummed as beams of light flickered over his body.
[System Alert]
Neural response test initiated. Warning: Host's true capabilities exceed test limits by 10,000×. Automatically concealing parameters… recalibrating output to Senior Student Level.
"Begin," the instructor said.
The timer flashed: 23.8 m/s
A ripple of murmurs swept through the students. "Not bad, but still slower than Luo Feng." "Maybe he's all background, no skill."
Li Wei just smiled. Let them think that. I don't need attention yet.
Luo Feng turned and gave him a friendly grin. "Hey, 23.8 isn't bad! You've got good control."
Li Wei shrugged modestly. "Guess I'll have to catch up to you."
The two laughed, the bond forming naturally—though only one of them knew how deep and advantageous it would soon run.
Later that day, on the rooftop of Yi'An 3rd High, the city sprawled below, alive with energy and the distant echo of gunfire near the outer walls. Luo Feng leaned against the fence, holding a nutrient drink, while Wei Wen chatted nearby.
"Still can't believe you transferred here," Luo Feng said, glancing at Li Wei. "Your family's crazy rich. Yi'An 3rd is a normal high school."
Li Wei smiled faintly. "I like it here. Real competition. People desperately fighting for something. You don't get that from my usual circles. Everything is handed to them but most of them don't treasure that head start."
Wei Wen grinned. "That's the spirit! Though honestly, I just want to earn enough money to treat my parents well someday."
Their laughter drifted in the breeze.
But then, something stirred. Luo Feng winced slightly, rubbing his temple.
"Huh… I've been getting this weird headache lately."
Li Wei's eyes sharpened instantly. He knew this scene. This was the exact precursor to Luo Feng's major awakening.
[Ding!]
Bound Target "Luo Feng" – Brainwave activity abnormal. Detected: Spiritual Energy Formation (Dormant). Awakening probability – 99.9%. Trigger imminent within 48 hours.
Li Wei leaned back on the fence, staring up at the faint orange sky. So it's happening… The Spirit Master awakening. When it triggered, he would receive his first true large Optimization reward. East had already been a spirit master by the time of binding so he usually got increase in strength, comprehension and some treasures that East would obtain along his path to greater strength. The thought sent a cold thrill down his spine. The System had bound Luo Feng two days ago, and although it had remained dormant, Li Wei could feel faint synchronization pulses—like his body was subtly aligning itself with Luo Feng's future destiny. But destiny, he resolved, is something I plan to rewrite.
That night, the Li family's mansion was quiet. While Li Yao trained within the underground gravity chamber, Li Wei sat cross-legged in his soundproof room, the light from his holo-screen dimmed to a soft blue.
He whispered, "System—open Databank: Cultivation Overview."
[Databank Accessed: Cultivation Structure – Swallowed Star Universe]
Physical Training Path: Fighter → Warrior → Warlord → God of War → Planet-level → Stellar-level → Universe-level → Domain Lord → World Master → Immortal → Universe Venerable → Universe Master → Lord of Universe → Eternal True God → Void True God → and beyond.
Spirit Master Path: Follows identical stages, differentiated by mental power evolution.
Li Wei's eyes gleamed. If Luo Feng awakened, his mental power will surge to the threshold of a beginner Spirit Master… and he—
[Ding!]
Bound Target "Luo Feng" beginning initial awakening sequence (Dream resonance detected). Optimization process initiating…
The air around him suddenly rippled. A faint golden circuit pattern spread across his arms, then sank beneath the skin. His mind went blank for an instant as a new, overwhelming presence awakened within his sea of consciousness.
Mental Power +∞ (Optimized)
Resulting Spiritual Force Quality: Absolute-Grade (10,000× Luo Feng baseline)
Soul Synchronization: Stable
New Trait Acquired: [Psionic Dominion] — Mental control at absolute efficiency (no energy loss).
Li Wei gasped, his pupils dilating. Power flooded him like liquid light—smooth, infinite, and terrifyingly pure. His consciousness expanded outward, brushing against the surroundings. He could sense every particle of dust in the air, every movement in the mansion.
So this is… the power of a Spirit Master. No… this is beyond it.
[Ding!]
Due to Optimization overlimit, host's mental strength has exceeded the Spirit Master baseline by 10,000×. Warning: Power must be contained or concealed to prevent universal law detection. Concealment active.
He steadied his breath, slowly opening his eyes. Now, Luo Feng's awakening has begun. He'll struggle, learn, and rise… while I'll walk beside him unseen—his shadow and his shield. His eyes glowed faintly silver before fading back to a deep brown. But make no mistake… I'm no side character in this story.
The next morning, Luo Feng stood before the mirror in his modest house, eyes wide. Objects around his room—pens, cups, even the chair—quivered and began floating. His little brother Luo Hua cheered in amazement.
"Bro! You're a Spirit Master!"
Luo Feng's heart pounded. "I… I really awakened!"
He didn't know that across the city, in a luxury mansion, Li Wei sat silently on his balcony, calmly sipping a cup of tea.
[Ding!]
Bound Target Luo Feng – Awakening Complete. Synchronization increased: 2.4% → 7.8%. Optimization successful. New Feature Unlocked: Mental Link Interface (Passive).
Li Wei smiled. Through the faint link, he could feel Luo Feng's excitement, his awe—the raw, innocent thrill of power. Enjoy it, Luo Feng. Because soon, the real trials will begin. And I'll be there to make sure you survive every one.
Later that week, the three friends stood outside the massive Dojo of Limits recruitment center. Crowds lined up for the Fighter Combat Examination. Luo Feng clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes.
Li Wei glanced at him, smiling faintly. The first step in your legend… and my optimization.
The metallic gate hissed open as the proctor's voice called out: "Next! Luo Feng!"
So it begins… The legend of Luo Feng is rising.
He closed his eyes, and for a fleeting second, he could see a shimmering cosmic tapestry behind the sky—faint threads of destiny twisting and converging.
"Let the continuous optimization begin."