June 9th, around 3:00 PM.
Jiangnan No. 1 High School.
A dense crowd of students and parents had gathered outside the school gates, their faces filled with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.
Inside, their children were taking the most important exam of their lives.
Although humanity had endured a devastating period of upheaval—countless lives lost during the Great Cataclysm—once stability returned, China quickly reinstated this crucial examination system.
---
In a quieter corner outside the gates, a small group stood together, chatting.
One of them was a tall, lean man over 1.9 meters in height, his muscular frame accentuated by a jagged scar running across his face.
Because of his imposing presence, the area around them was noticeably less crowded.
"Dad, Mom, Brother Yang—once my brother finishes his exams, we have to celebrate properly!"
A pale, thin boy sitting in a wheelchair spoke with a bright smile.
"Of course!" his mother replied warmly, a middle-aged woman with gentle features. "We'll all go out to eat once Xiaofeng comes out."
The middle-aged man beside her nodded in agreement.
They rarely dined out during the year, but today was special—the end of their son's exams. With friends gathered, a proper celebration felt deserved.
"No problem," Yang Wu said with a smile. "Ahua, what do you want to eat? My treat today!"
Yet deep down, Yang Wu knew—
That meal would never happen.
Because inside that examination hall, the boy named Luo Feng was about to step onto the path of a true powerhouse.
---
As he continued chatting with the family, Yang Wu sighed inwardly.
He was a transmigrator.
Three years ago, after dying in an accident while trying to save someone, he had been reborn in this world.
And not just any world—
But the very one from the novel Swallowed Star, which he had read more than ten times.
A vast and magnificent universe, filled with powerful beings and endless possibilities.
And yet… none of that seemed to belong to him.
At first, Yang Wu had been ecstatic. He believed he was destined to become a protagonist—to explore the cosmos and experience its boundless wonders.
Reality, however, had been far less kind.
After three years, he had learned a harsh truth:
Without talent, one could barely take a single step forward in this world.
To be fair, his talent wasn't bad.
At twenty-four, he was already considered an "advanced student" at the Limit Martial Arts Hall, standing just at the threshold of becoming a true martial artist.
Among ordinary people, that alone was enough to inspire envy.
After all, most would never achieve such a level even in a lifetime.
But in the grand scale of the universe—
It meant nothing.
If he remembered correctly, Earth's human bloodline ranked only ninth tier in the universe hierarchy—nearly at the bottom.
Since he hadn't received any kind of "cheat" or system, Yang Wu chose a different path:
He would follow the route of Wei Wen—Luo Feng's friend in the original story.
For three years, he trained diligently while also guiding Luo Feng's cultivation after they met.
Now, their relationship had grown strong—perhaps not surpassing Wei Wen's, but certainly comparable.
Still…
After today, Luo Feng's strength would surpass his.
---
Yet, strangely enough—
That brought Yang Wu a sense of relief.
With his connection to Luo Feng, as long as he avoided the major disasters Earth would face in the future, achieving immortality and eternal life was practically guaranteed.
---
Just then—
The school gates suddenly opened.
But there was still an hour and a half left before the exam ended.
Had someone submitted early?
Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, a teacher stepped out, holding a small megaphone.
"Is there a parent of Luo Feng from Grade 12, Class 5? Luo Feng's family, please come forward!"
The announcement rang out clearly.
"Hongguo, that teacher just called Xiaofeng's name!" Gong Xinlan said anxiously. "It's only been an hour… could something have happened?"
"That's definitely Xiaofeng's name…" Luo Hongguo's face tightened with worry.
"Dad, Mom, let's go quickly," Luo Hua said calmly from his wheelchair. "We shouldn't keep the teacher waiting."
"Yes, let's go!" Gong Xinlan urged. "Hongguo, push Ahua!"
"I'll do it," Yang Wu said, already stepping forward.
The four of them hurried toward the gate.
"Excuse us—we're Luo Feng's family!" Yang Wu called out as he pushed Luo Hua forward.
The surrounding crowd quickly parted, murmuring among themselves.
"What happened? Even the teacher came out…"
"Did that student get caught cheating?"
"Things have only just stabilized, and students are already causing trouble… sigh…"
"Wait—I've heard of Luo Feng. He's an excellent student… and a senior trainee at the martial arts hall!"
---
Amid the whispers, Yang Wu and the others quickly reached the teacher.
Nearby, a martial artist responsible for campus security subtly stepped closer, maintaining vigilance.
"Teacher, we're Luo Feng's family. What happened to him?" Gong Xinlan asked anxiously.
"Please don't worry," the proctor said reassuringly. "Luo Feng suddenly fainted during the exam. We've already called an ambulance—it should be here shortly. You should prepare to go with him."
"How could this happen?" Gong Xinlan's face turned pale. "He was fine this morning… Could it be his headaches again?"
Since childhood, Luo Feng had suffered from recurring headaches, sometimes even fainting.
Yet repeated medical examinations had found nothing wrong.
Hearing the news, Gong Xinlan immediately feared the worst.
"Uncle, Aunt, try not to worry," Yang Wu said calmly from behind Luo Hua. "We'll know more once the ambulance arrives."
The teacher nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Please stay calm and prepare to accompany him."
---
Beep—beep—beep—
The distant wail of sirens grew louder as an ambulance approached.
Just as Yang Wu prepared to board with the family, a fully armed officer at the gate stopped them.
"This is a restricted examination area. Please wait for the ambulance to arrive before boarding."
Then, turning to two inspection personnel nearby, he waved them forward.
"Emergency takes priority. You may board for inspection."
"Understood."
After the two inspectors entered the ambulance, the officer stepped aside and gestured forward.
"Let them through."
___________________________
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