C3 Warm

Surrounded by the admiring glances and grateful remarks of alumni at the school gate, Lin Feng maintained a smile that was confident yet not arrogant.

It took some time before the law enforcement team finally showed up, late to the scene.

"Sorry, this is our negligence..."

Monsters had become all too common in Apus Calesius. To cope, Lofreydor had no choice but to deploy law enforcement teams to patrol the main streets of every major city.

But with a shortage of manpower, monsters would still occasionally slip into the city from the wilderness.

"It's nothing," Lin Feng said with a dismissive shake of his head.

He exchanged a few more words with the law enforcement team before departing with Chiang Yu and Liu Fei.

As soon as they were away from the crowd, both friends turned to him, their faces alight with excitement, "Lin Feng, how did you get so powerful?"

As close friends, they knew each other inside and out.

The Lin Feng of the past was never this formidable.

"Just a month ago, I had a breakthrough, and my cultivation has been advancing rapidly ever since," Lin Feng said with a smile.

He couldn't reveal the real reason—it was his secret—so he resorted to a fib.

"Seriously?" Chiang Yu was skeptical, then let out a wistful sigh, "Why can't I have a breakthrough like that?"

"Want me to give you a thrashing to see if it opens up your acupoints?" Lin Feng joked.

"Get lost!"

They continued on their way, laughing and joking.

Passing a store, Lin Feng suddenly remembered something, "Hey, do you guys have any cash on you? Can you lend me some?"

"What for?" Chiang Yu asked, casually pulling out his wallet and handing over several hundred-yuan bills.

Coming from a well-off family, Chiang Yu had never known financial worries and always had plenty of spending money.

Liu Fei also produced a hundred-yuan bill, saying, "This is all I've got on me."

"Thanks," Lin Feng said, accepting the money and quickly stepping into the store.

Moments later, he emerged with a bag containing ten industrial origin stones.

"What do you need those for?" Chiang Yu asked, clearly baffled.

Liu Fei shared his bewilderment.

Since Apus Calesius had become part of the Taiyi world, everything was changing, including the emergence of origin stones in many parts of the planet.

Origin stones have essentially replaced gasoline and other energy sources on Apus Calesius.

Yet, origin stones come in various grades.

Industrial-grade origin stones are only suitable for human-made products like cars; they're not for human consumption due to excessive impurities. Using them won't kill a person, but it'll cause significant discomfort.

It's akin to eating spoiled food.

"It's useful," Lin Feng said with a smile.

"Do you really need to buy so much at once, even if it is useful? Oh well..." Chiang Yu sighed, shaking his head, preferring to leave it at that.

But as Chiang Yu glanced at the industrial origin stones in Lin Feng's possession, a thought struck him. "By the way, have you guys purchased your equipment yet?"

Equipment is mandatory for the Martial Arts exam.

Battle armor, weapons, boots, helmets, and masks make up the five essential pieces.

The school provides these items, but they're typically C1 Level, which most families with a bit of money would avoid using.

It's a life or death issue, after all. Who would skimp on that?

Still, it's unfair to criticize the school. They offer the gear for free, and for some less fortunate families, it's a welcome option.

Having something is always better than nothing.

"No," both Lin Feng and Liu Fei responded, shaking their heads.

"Great, let's go shopping for it tomorrow. I'm planning to get a B1 Level set. I'll talk to my dad and get some extra cash so I can pick up a set for each of you too," Chiang Yu offered nonchalantly.

"This..."

Lin Feng and Liu Fei were visibly touched.

A B1 War General Level set didn't come cheap, costing at least half a million.

That's hardly pocket change; it's enough to buy a house.

"What's on your mind? It's not a giveaway—I'm lending it to you. You can pay me back when you're better off," Chiang Yu said, gesturing dismissively.

At his words, Lin Feng and Liu Fei felt a wave of gratitude.

They understood Chiang Yu was deliberately framing it this way to avoid making them feel indebted, keeping their friendship free from awkwardness.

In response, they each gave Chiang Yu a playful punch, causing him to wince with a grin.

...

Peace Neighborhood, Building 5, Floor 6, Apartment 301.

Lin Feng pushed open the front door to find his younger sister, Lin Xue, and his brother, Lin Hua, both fresh into junior high, hunched over the living room table, diligently working on their homework.

"Brother!" they chimed in unison, looking up at the sound of his arrival.

Lin Feng shut the door behind him and, with a smile, ruffled their hair affectionately. The siblings were twins, with Lin Xue arriving a minute earlier than Lin Hua, making him the youngest of the three.

"You two keep at it—I'll get started on dinner."

"Bro, let me help you out."

"No need," Lin Feng insisted, gently declining his sister's offer before fetching ingredients from the fridge and heading to the kitchen.

In about half an hour, a feast was laid out: succulent twice-cooked pork, vibrant tomato and egg stir-fry, garlicky sautéed lettuce, and a steaming bowl of seaweed egg drop soup.

Just then, their mother, Lee Susu, arrived home from work.

"Time to eat!" Lin Feng called out.

Soon, the family gathered around the table, sharing laughter and stories as the TV hummed in the background.

"By the way, Feng, isn't your college entrance exam the day after tomorrow?" Lee Susu suddenly asked.

"Mhm, that's right."

"I've been so swamped lately, it completely slipped my mind." Guilt washed over Lee Susu's face. Since their father's departure, she had been single-handedly raising her three children, her days a whirlwind of activity.

"Feng, have you decided between the liberal arts and the sciences?" she inquired.

Lin Feng paused, a moment of hesitation flickering across his face.

Lee Susu's complexion drained of color. "Feng, you're not considering the Martial Arts track, are you?"

He nodded.

His mother's face filled with alarm, but he quickly reassured her, "Mom, don't worry. I've made significant progress in my training this past month. I've harnessed Vital Energy and become a Warrior. The Martial Arts exam won't be an issue for me!"

"You're not just saying that?" Tears brimmed in Lee Susu's eyes. "Feng, please don't feel like you have to prove anything..."

Lee Susu's wishes for her children differed from other parents' dreams of glory; she yearned for their safety above all else.

And truthfully, what mother would want her child to face the perils of battle?

But the Martial Arts track was a direct path to the battlefield—a place fraught with mortal danger. Every year, one in ten students who pursued the Martial Arts track perished in the Warzone.

This was no laughing matter.

"Mom, I swear I'm not lying to you," Lin Feng insisted, as his mother looked on skeptically. To prove it, he revealed his ability.

Upon witnessing the jade-like, blood-red glow emanating from his hand, his mother's doubts vanished, replaced by belief.

Learning that her son had truly become a Warrior, Lee Susu was overcome with emotion, her face streaming with tears, a mix of sorrow and joy in her eyes.

"Mom, please don't cry..." Lin Feng said, visibly flustered.

Lin Xue, his sister, quickly dabbed at their mother's tears with a tissue, hugging her neck and murmuring, "Mom, there's no need for tears. It's a good thing that brother has become a Warrior."

Lin Hua, his younger brother, nodded vigorously, his gaze toward Lin Feng filled with sheer admiration.

Seventeen years had passed since Apus Calesius joined the Taiyi world, and while other countries had their strengths, Lofreydor had only two War Gods.

The War Generals were more numerous, with over thirty thousand.

And Warriors? There were more than three million.

Three million might sound like a lot, but remember, Lofreydor itself is home to over a billion people!

"I'm not crying, I'm just... so proud!" Lee Susu claimed, even as the tears continued to fall.

Her heart was torn between the ache of worry and the pride of success. All her children had always been so understanding, but Lin Feng's journey had been especially challenging. Born during a time of crisis in Lofreydor, when monsters roamed freely, Lee Susu had lived in constant fear, always hiding, with Lin Feng enduring many hardships.

Seeing Lin Feng's accomplishments now filled her with immense pride.

Eventually, Lee Susu composed herself and went into the bedroom. She returned with a passbook in hand.

"Mom..."

"Feng, take this," she said, handing him the passbook. "This is the two hundred thousand I've managed to save over the years. Tomorrow, buy yourself some proper equipment. And remember, in the Warzone, don't overdo it. Your safety comes first." Her words were earnest.

Lin Feng was at a loss for words.

Finally, Lin Feng gave a solemn nod, "Mom, rest assured, I won't overdo it."

He couldn't afford to die.

If he did, it would be the downfall of half their family.

Lin Feng kept it a secret from his mother that he had applied to the prestigious University of Norbury, ranked among the top three universities of the new era.

To gain admission to University of Norbury, he was required to slay ten monsters of at least D5 Level and one of C1 Level.

The thought of worrying his mother weighed heavily on him.

Mothers around the world are all alike. They swell with pride at their children's accomplishments. But when those achievements come at the cost of their children's lives, they would surely oppose it.