Chapter 7: Recognition
The two brothers walked into the training hall on the third floor. The early morning sunlight streamed through the high windows, illuminating the vast space that was still relatively empty at this hour.
Luo Feng eagerly approached the punching power testing machine. After powering it on and adjusting his stance, he took a deep breath, centered his weight, and unleashed a devastating punch!
BANG!
The impact resonated through the hall like thunder, the reinforced target absorbing the tremendous force.
As Luo Feng executed his strike, Luo Sheng's vision detected attribute orbs releasing from his brother's movement—brilliant spheres of concentrated power that immediately flew toward him.
[Strength +134 kg]
[Defense +132 kg]
Interesting, Luo Sheng thought. Even watching Luo Feng test generates collectible attributes. His potential is truly exceptional—the orbs from his single punch are worth more than dozens from ordinary Senior Trainees.
"Xiao Feng, how much?" Luo Sheng called out, walking closer.
Luo Feng glanced at the digital display, his eyes brightening with genuine joy. He laughed excitedly:
"1369 kg!"
"1369 kg?" Luo Sheng smiled at the result. "I didn't expect your physical fitness to improve so dramatically after that coma! Your punching power has broken through the one thousand kilogram threshold!"
The Quasi-Warrior standard required 900 kg minimum. Luo Feng had exceeded it by nearly 470 kg—an impressive margin that placed him solidly in the Primary Warrior range already.
Luo Feng grinned and nodded. "Big Brother, I want to test my speed next!"
"Alright!" Luo Sheng walked to the speed testing track and activated the electronic timing system.
Luo Feng stepped onto the track, took several deep breaths and then exploded forward like a released arrow.
His form was perfect—each stride covering maximum distance, his enhanced body moving with fluid grace that came from his recent awakening as a Spirit Master. The mental clarity and improved neural connections made every movement more efficient.
Just as Luo Feng reached his peak velocity, two figures emerged from the stairwell leading down from the fourth floor—the private training areas reserved for official Martial Artists.
One was the red-haired warrior they'd seen previously in the building. The other was Jiang Nian, the branch head of the Yian District Extreme Martial Club—a man whose authority extended across the entire regional organization.
As soon as they entered, they witnessed Luo Feng's blazing sprint across the track.
[Speed +2.7 m/s]
Another orb merged with Luo Sheng, further enhancing his already formidable capabilities.
"Brother, what's my speed?" Luo Feng called out, having reached the end of the track in mere seconds. He stopped smoothly, barely winded despite the extreme exertion.
When he'd been running, he'd felt faster than ever before—lighter, more powerful. In his estimation, he might have broken 30 m/s!
Luo Sheng glanced at the digital readout and announced: "28.2 meters per second!"
The red-haired warrior couldn't help but glance sharply at Jiang Nian beside him, exclaiming in genuine surprise, "That young man can run 28 meters per second?!"
For context, the Quasi-Warrior requirement was only 25 m/s. Luo Feng had exceeded it by 3.2 m/s—a substantial margin.
Jiang Nian laughed heartily, obvious pride in his voice. "Yan Luo, you don't know. This young man is called Luo Feng. He's one of the most talented trainees our Martial Hall has seen in years, and he just turned eighteen this year!"
The red-haired warrior—Yan Luo—stared with widened eyes. "Eighteen years old? So young with such capabilities?"
Jiang Nian smiled at Yan Luo's astonishment.
You find this surprising? he thought.
The one standing next to him is also eighteen! And judging from the data we've collected, his physical fitness is growing at an even more abnormal rate than his brother's! Just one week ago when we tested him, his strength was already at 990 kg...
At that moment, Luo Feng and Luo Sheng noticed the two approaching figures and quickly stood at attention, bowing respectfully.
"Instructor!" they said in unison.
As the branch head of the Extreme Martial Club, protocol required all trainees to address Jiang Nian with that title.
Jiang Nian waved them forward casually. "You two brothers come here... training so early at the Martial Hall?"
Luo Feng scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed. "My physical fitness improved dramatically recently, so I came with my big brother to test the exact measurements."
Jiang Nian nodded knowingly. "I heard you striking the punching target from upstairs—the sound echoed impressively. What's your current punching power?"
"I just measured 1369 kg," Luo Feng reported.
Jiang Nian was momentarily stunned, then burst into delighted laughter. "Your punching power has already broken through the one thousand kilogram mark? Excellent! Luo Feng, you've done exceptionally well! This places you firmly in Primary Warrior territory!"
"Brother Jiang, aren't you going to introduce me?" Yan Luo interjected with an amused smile.
Jiang Nian nodded enthusiastically. "Right! Let me make introductions. This is your Senior, Yan Luo—a trusted brother with whom I've experienced life and death battles in the wilderness!"
"Hello, Senior Yan Luo!" Both brothers bowed respectfully.
Yan Luo waved dismissively. "No need for such formality. I'm not much older than you two. If you don't mind, just call me Big Brother Yan."
"Big Brother Yan!" the twins responded.
Jiang Nian then turned to Luo Sheng with keen interest. "By the way, Xiao Sheng, have you tested your punching power and speed again since last week's measurement?"
Luo Sheng shook his head. "Not yet, Instructor."
Jiang Nian glanced meaningfully at Yan Luo, then smiled at Luo Sheng. "Then let's test it now. It's a good opportunity for us to witness your progress firsthand."
Luo Sheng nodded and walked to the punching power testing machine. He took a measured breath, adopted a focused expression, and channeled his power into a single devastating strike!
BOOM!
The impact was noticeably louder than Luo Feng's—the punching target producing an almost explosive sound that reverberated through the entire training hall.
With an electronic beep, a number appeared on the screen:
「1431 kg」
Jiang Nian and Yan Luo were standing close enough to see the display clearly. Yan Luo's face filled with shock as he exclaimed: "1431 kilograms?!"
That was 62 kg higher than Luo Feng's already impressive result!
"You..." Yan Luo looked at Luo Sheng with visible disbelief. "If I heard correctly earlier, you're Luo Feng's older brother, correct? How old are you exactly?"
"Hahahaha! Yan Luo, you'll never guess!" Before Luo Sheng could answer, Jiang Nian burst out laughing. "Let me tell you—they're twins! Both eighteen years old!"
Yan Luo's jaw dropped. "Eighteen? Both of them? You're telling me there are two geniuses of this caliber, and they're also brothers?"
Because being able to generate over 1400 kg of punching power at eighteen was truly terrifying! And for there to be two of them...
"I know it seems impossible," Jiang Nian continued, clearly enjoying Yan Luo's reaction. "But the data doesn't lie. Xiao Sheng only reached Senior Trainee rank about five weeks ago. In just over a month, he's progressed from that level to what you see now—strength sufficient to pass the Quasi-Warrior assessment with room to spare!"
Yan Luo stared at Luo Sheng, utterly speechless.
Such explosive talent growth?
What are these kids eating to develop like this?!
Jiang Nian gestured toward the speed track. "Show him your speed as well, Xiao Sheng."
Luo Sheng nodded and moved to the starting line. Under the watchful eyes of Jiang Nian and Yan Luo, he prepared himself.
He launched into his sprint, moving at tremendous velocity but keeping it within parameters.
The timing system beeped:
「32.1 m/s」
The result was extraordinary!
For context, the standard speed for an Intermediate Warrior was only 40 m/s.
Luo Sheng had already reached 80% of that threshold despite technically still being at Primary Warrior level.
Yan Luo looked at Luo Sheng, momentarily unable to form words. The physical prowess and talent Luo Sheng displayed were simply too astonishing!
"Brother Jiang!" Yan Luo finally managed. "Haven't you recruited geniuses like Luo Feng and Luo Sheng into the Dojo yet?"
The recruitment he spoke of wasn't merely becoming dojo students—he meant signing official contracts to become Martial Artists employed by the Extreme Martial Club itself.
Jiang Nian smiled knowingly. "I've had this plan for quite some time!"
He turned to address both brothers directly. "Luo Feng, Luo Sheng—what would you say to joining our Extreme Martial Club officially once you pass your Quasi-Warrior assessments and become certified Martial Artists?"
He paused for dramatic effect, then raised two fingers. "As long as you become Martial Artists under the Extreme Martial Club's banner, we will arrange accommodation for you. Not just one villa—two complete detached villas in the best location within the military residential district!"
"Two detached villas?" Luo Feng gasped audibly.
Jiang Nian continued, "Besides the housing, you'll each receive a monthly basic salary of 50,000 Chinese yuan. That's just the base—not including bonuses for completed missions, monster materials you harvest, or other benefits."
Luo Feng's mind reeled. A basic salary of 50,000 yuan monthly wasn't life-changing by itself, but detached villas were extraordinarily valuable and luxurious!
The Extreme Martial Club was offering them two complete villas just for signing contracts!
Luo Feng couldn't help but glance at his older brother for guidance.
Jiang Nian pressed his advantage. "Luo Sheng, Luo Feng—the benefits our Extreme Martial Club provides are comparable to, if not better than, joining special national military departments. Join us, and you'll have financial security, social status, access to the best training resources—everything you need to safely pursue the limits of human potential and the pinnacle of martial arts!"
He gestured toward Yan Luo. "Let me give you a concrete example. Big Brother Yan here became an Advanced Warrior five years ago. Last year alone, he participated in three major wilderness expeditions, hunting High-Level monsters and harvesting their materials. Those three expeditions earned him over 300 million yuan in total compensation."
"Three hundred million?!" Both brothers exclaimed simultaneously.
Yan Luo nodded modestly. "That was an exceptional year with particularly successful hunts. But even in average years, Advanced Warriors can expect to earn 50 to 100 million yuan through wilderness expeditions, material harvesting, and contracted security work."
He fixed both young men with a serious look. "But understand this—those earnings come with proportionate risk. The wilderness is unforgiving. Powerful monsters lurk everywhere beyond the city walls. Every expedition could be your last if you're careless or unlucky."
"That's why proper training and preparation are crucial," Jiang Nian added. "The Extreme Martial Club provides the best combat instruction, strategic planning, and team coordination training available anywhere on Earth. We don't just throw warriors into the wilderness—we prepare them to survive and thrive."
The instructor's words were undeniably compelling. Luo Feng felt his blood surging with excitement. He secretly set his ambition to become powerful enough to venture into the wilderness, hunt the monsters that threatened humanity, and avenge all those who had suffered!
Jiang Nian studied both brothers carefully. "Speaking of which, did you two take this year's college entrance examination? Especially Xiao Sheng—I remember he even took it a grade early."
Both brothers nodded.
Yan Luo asked curiously, "Are either of you planning to attend college?"
Both shook their heads. Luo Feng explained with a rueful smile, "I fainted during the mathematics exam, which severely impacted my score. My final result was 560 points—exactly one point short of the undergraduate admission line. So I can't attend college anyway."
Yan Luo immediately consoled him. "For someone with your talent, attending college would honestly be a waste of precious time. The optimal development period for us Martial Artists is before age thirty! Every year spent in classrooms studying theory is a year not spent strengthening your body and honing your combat skills."
He continued passionately, "In my opinion, failing to reach the undergraduate line might actually be fortunate for you. You can dedicate this period entirely to intensive training and prepare to take the Quasi-Warrior assessment at the Yangzhou Regional Hall on July 1st!"
Jiang Nian then turned his attention to Luo Sheng. "What about you, Xiao Sheng? What was your score? What are your plans moving forward?"
Luo Sheng smiled. "I scored 720 points—actually the top score in our entire district. But I'm not planning to attend college either. I intend to take the Quasi-Warrior assessment alongside my brother."
Both Jiang Nian and Yan Luo were visibly shocked by the score, their expressions complex mixtures of regret and relief.
The regret stemmed from the fact that with such an exceptional college entrance examination score, not attending university seemed somewhat wasteful of his academic potential.
But simultaneously, they felt tremendous relief!
Luo Sheng's martial talent was even more remarkable than his academic ability—he might even become a God of War in the future! If he actually went to college and focused on civilian studies, it would be an enormous loss to humanity's martial strength.
"You're truly a complete prodigy!" Yan Luo couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
Not only was his martial talent exceptional, but he could also score as the top student in the college entrance examination! This combination was practically inhuman—the kind of comprehensive genius that appeared once in a generation at most.
Jiang Nian smiled broadly. "The Extreme Martial Club conducts Quasi-Warrior assessments on the first day of every month. Since today is June 8th, there's still over three weeks until the July 1st assessment. Use this time to prepare thoroughly, continue training, and then go take it together!"
He paused, then added meaningfully, "With your current capabilities, I'm confident both of you will not only pass but achieve exceptional scores. The assessment results will determine your initial ranking and assignment priority within the organization."
"We'll train hard and make you proud, Instructor!" both brothers responded earnestly.
---
After the conversation concluded and Jiang Nian and Yan Luo departed to attend to other matters, Luo Sheng quietly reviewed his current status.
System, display attribute panel.
The translucent interface materialized before his eyes, invisible to everyone else:
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[Personal Attribute Panel]
Name: Luo Sheng
Rank: Apprentice Level (Primary Warrior)
Strength: 1,431 kg
Speed: 32.1 m/s
Defense: 1,429 kg
Spirit: 1,299 kg
Cultivation Method: None
Skills: Movement Technique (Perfection Level)
Talent: Spirit Master (Awakened)
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