Chapter Thirty-Seven: A Single Punch for the Future

“Just two months ago, he was a senior trainee, and now he’s become an advanced warlord?”
“An advanced warlord at eighteen!”
“He was given the title of warrior without even undergoing a combat assessment!”
“Survived a wild hunt, escaping from a tide of rodents!”
“Killed a veteran intermediate warlord with just three strikes!”
“The director came in person to inspect!”
“A special envoy has already departed from headquarters!”

These tidings spread like wildfire, and when Luo Feng heard them, he was utterly stunned.

“He… he’s become an advanced warlord?” Outwardly, he was amiable, but deep down, pride ran strong in his veins. Among his classmates, even throughout the academy, his status as a senior student was admired by all. Yet now, his classmate had unknowingly risen to heights that seemed unattainable to him.

A sense of loss was inevitable.

“Luo Feng, don’t be envious. One day in the future, you might reach that level too!” Jiang Nian approached him and whispered.

“I’m just happy for him!” Luo Feng replied. “Who would have thought that Qin Ming, who seemed unremarkable at first, would rise so suddenly and become unstoppable?”

“The world of genius is forever beyond the comprehension of outsiders,” said Jiang Nian. “How’s your relationship with him?”

“It’s alright.”

“Make sure to maintain it! You must know, he’s destined to become a war god, perhaps even go further.”

“Destined to become a war god?”

“An advanced warlord at eighteen—if such talent fails to become a war god, every warrior in the world would lose hope.”

“So formidable…!” Luo Feng glanced at the figure standing nearby, surrounded by admiring warriors, even those who were lofty and proud themselves. All gathered around Qin Ming, showering him with praise. Luo Feng’s feelings grew ever more complicated, thinking silently: This is the stature a man should aspire to!

“Next, Luo Feng!” The assessment proceeded swiftly, and soon it was Luo Feng’s turn.

“Luo Feng, go for it—you can do it!” Qin Ming encouraged him with a smile.

“I can do it!” Luo Feng smiled back, rallying himself.

Sure enough, he scored 1101 kg. At eighteen, such a punch force would have made him a rare talent in ordinary times. Yet today, no one paid him any mind.

“Luo Feng, not bad!” Qin Ming came over to congratulate him. “We’ve been classmates for three years, and now we’re both warriors. I have a feeling we’ll fight side by side in the future!”

“I’ll catch up to you!” Luo Feng declared with resolve.

“I’ll be waiting for you somewhere else! Don’t forget, we’re classmates—if you ever face difficulties, remember to call me!” Qin Ming leaned in and whispered, “Last time I went hunting, I saw Xu Xin at the Alliance Tower in Jiangnan Base City…”

He paused, noticing Luo Feng’s sudden stiffness and the fading smile on his face.

Qin Ming’s lips curled, and he continued, “I told her you’ve had a crush on her for three years!”

“What? You… you…!” Luo Feng was momentarily dumbfounded, pointing at Qin Ming, his face flushed.

Qin Ming smiled, “That girl seems to like you too. But Luo Feng, her family is extraordinary—she’s the legitimate daughter of a prominent clan in Huaxia. If you want to pursue her, even being a warlord might not be enough. So you’d better work hard, strive to reach war god level as soon as possible. When her family can no longer object, don’t forget to invite me to your wedding! If you don’t make it, I’ll snatch her for myself!”

“Don’t you dare!” Luo Feng punched Qin Ming. “My happiness is for me to fight for. If you’re my classmate and my brother, don’t undermine me!”

“You’re lacking confidence!”

“In front of you, who could have any confidence?”

“Hahaha, relax—‘a brother’s wife, don’t be impolite’—cough, I mean, must not be wronged!”

“Why am I not reassured?”

“That depends on your efforts! If you don’t reach war god level… honestly, Luo Feng, it’s shaky!”

“It’s just war god, isn’t it? I refuse to believe I can’t make it!”

“That’s right! First, you must have confidence. Without it, how can you strive for happiness or reach greater heights? A warrior must always press forward, unwavering in conviction!”

After chatting for a while, Luo Feng went to another room to test his speed.

By then, only a few remained for the assessment.

“Qin Ming, your brilliance now is blinding. Being your friend, the pressure is overwhelming!” Wang Lang came over, looking troubled.

“If you feel pressured, just work harder—it’s a simple matter!” Qin Ming laughed. “No matter what, we’ve been friends since childhood!”

“That’s comforting to hear. By the way, do you still want jade stones?”

“Not for now. If I need them, I’ll come to you!”

“Don’t be shy!”

“Of course!”

Qin Ming chatted amiably with those around him.

Meanwhile, as the assessment concluded, a fighter jet appeared above the club, hovering in midair without producing any turbulence.

Such jets were unique to this world. There were passenger planes as well, but tickets cost tens of millions—ordinary people could never afford them. As for these butterfly-shaped fighter jets, without two hundred billion, they were out of reach.

The hatch opened, and several people leaped down, one of whom was Zhuge Tao, the director of Jiangnan Base City. Yet at this moment, the director—holder of great authority—was clearly not the main figure.

Wu Tong quickly approached: “Greetings, Chairman, Director!”

Jiangnan Base City’s Extreme Club had a chairman and three directors; today, the chairman Zhou Zhengyong had arrived as well. He was a war god, known as Iron Hand—a formidable presence.

“This is Special Envoy Yang Hui,” Zhou Zhengyong introduced, then immediately spotted Qin Ming, beckoning him over with a smile. “You’re young Qin? To have reached advanced warlord level at eighteen—in all Jiangnan Base City’s history, you’d rank among the top three!”

“Greetings, Chairman, Special Envoy, Director!” Qin Ming greeted them, then shyly said, “I’ll strive to be the first to become a war god!”

“Hahaha, Old Yang, did you hear that? This youngster really doesn’t hold back!” Zhou Zhengyong laughed loudly. “Then fight for first place!”

“With his pace of improvement, once he reaches headquarters and receives better training, he might well be Jiangnan Base City’s youngest war god!” Yang Hui said. “Come, let’s look at your results!”

The group returned to the measurement room. After inspecting the equipment, Qin Ming delivered a punch of forty thousand kilograms, causing Zhuge Tao, Zhou Zhengyong, and Yang Hui to nod in approval.

“You purchased the Ninefold Thunder Blade, didn’t you? Have you grasped its essence?” Zhuge Tao stepped forward to ask.

“I’ve understood a bit.”

“Want to try again?” Zhuge Tao pointed at the equipment, clearly inviting him to demonstrate his skill.

Qin Ming hesitated, glancing around.

Zhuge Tao, a man of discernment, immediately understood and waved his hand: “All unrelated personnel, please leave!”

Chairman Zhou Zhengyong nodded, evidently looking forward to it.

Yang Hui stood with his hands behind his back.

The club’s members who had come along all withdrew, leaving only Qin Yicheng, Wu Tong, Zhuge Tao, Zhou Zhengyong, Yang Hui, and the elder in charge of the equipment.

Even Zhou Jing was ushered out.

“The Ninefold Thunder Blade is renowned for its attack and difficulty of mastery. Even with your exceptional talent, your study time has been short—if you’ve comprehended the first fold, that’s already remarkable!” Yang Hui said. “Qin Ming, give it a try. I hope you’ll surprise me. The Grand Director loves geniuses, especially those with extraordinary perception. Show your full strength—if you meet the standard, he’ll certainly take notice!”

“Alright!”

Qin Ming’s spirit surged.

Bang…!

With a single punch, thunder roared, and a tempest swept through the measurement room, followed by violent tremors.

“This…!”

Seeing the numbers on the display, even Yang Hui, a war god himself, was left utterly astonished.