"No need. Just tell me what you want. I'm heading home once I finish withdrawing from school." Luo Yuan looked at Liu Ting before him and spoke in an even tone.
According to the information Luo Yuan had, Liu Ting came from a wealthy family, just like Zhang Haobai, though neither family was particularly rich. Both had poor reputations at Yian Third High School for being arrogant and conceited. Besides, he and this woman were merely classmates.
"Uh, Luo Yuan, we're both advanced students at the Limitless Martial Hall, and we're in the same class, so I wanted to get to know you. I heard Instructor Jiang Nian praised you yesterday. He said your movement techniques had almost reached the micro level. That's incredibly rare among the hundred-plus advanced students in Yangzhou City."
Liu Ting looked at Luo Yuan with some envy. If her father hadn't learned through his connections that she had such an outstanding classmate, she wouldn't have made a special trip to school. If she could build a good relationship with him, they could look out for each other after becoming warriors.
"I see. Liu Ting, I appreciate the thought, but I still have things to do. We've gotten to know each other now, so let's leave the future for later." Luo Yuan's reply was rather perfunctory. He didn't really want to get involved with this unfamiliar woman.
Liu Ting grew a little angry at his attitude. She, a wealthy young lady, had personally come to make the acquaintance of this poor boy, only to be brushed off. Still, there wasn't much she could say, so she stamped her foot and left.
The classmates watching the drama stared speechlessly at Luo Yuan as he leaned back in his seat. A few of the quicker-witted ones wanted to approach him and build a connection, but they lowered their heads, feeling inferior.
"Luo Yuan, when did you become an advanced student?"
Their homeroom teacher, Cui Dashan, suddenly entered the classroom and addressed Luo Yuan with a fawning tone. The director of education and the principal followed behind him.
Luo Yuan looked straight past Cui Dashan at the director of education and the principal. The two understood his meaning and handed him a small red booklet. He took it and found that it was actually a high school diploma. He couldn't help smiling. These two certainly knew how to handle things.
"Thanks." Luo Yuan thanked them with genuine appreciation. Preferential treatment like this was rare.
With his high school diploma in hand, Luo Yuan left Yian Third High School. Everything here felt rather unfamiliar to him, so he had no particular attachment to the place.
Next, Luo Yuan visited the Limitless Martial Hall to ask about the quasi-warrior assessment. He was told that it was held on the first of every month at the Limit Hall in central Yangzhou City, with a practical combat assessment afterward.
It was only May 10, leaving almost a month until the next assessment. He remembered that in the original novel, Luo Feng had taken the quasi-warrior assessment on July 1, while August 1 was the date of the collective practical combat assessment for quasi-martial artists. Luo Yuan decided to take the quasi-warrior assessment early, on June 1, because passing it would earn him the genetic origin energy cultivation method-the Five Hearts Toward Heaven Cultivation Method. He could begin learning it a month earlier and improve his strength before the practical combat assessment.
Back in Yi'an District, Luo Yuan was about to head toward his rented apartment when he suddenly sensed something overhead. He looked up and froze in shock.
An enormous Black-Crowned Golden Eagle was flying high above the city. Its body was over twenty meters long, like a large fighter jet, and its feathers gleamed faintly with a cold metallic sheen. The feathers atop its head were pitch-black, resembling a black crown, while its huge, razor-sharp talons were golden. Its cold, piercing eyes shone blue as it surveyed the human city below, carrying a faint hint of murderous intent.
Boom!
The Black-Crowned Golden Eagle, already flying at tremendous speed, suddenly accelerated. It instantly broke the sound barrier and reached a terrifying velocity. At the same time, an incredibly shrill cry burst from its beak. The dreadful sound waves formed a visible shock wave that rapidly spread downward.
Screee!
An unbearably piercing cry suddenly rang out. It was nothing like the crash of spring thunder. Thunder was loud and deafening, but this high-pitched cry was painfully sharp. Luo Yuan felt a dull ache in his eardrums and frowned in discomfort. Many pedestrians covered their ears.
Under the assault of that piercing cry, huge glass panes on a skyscraper along the neighboring street began to make low cracking sounds. Many panes fractured, and more than a dozen fell from high above on the spot. Some smashed onto the sidewalk or struck people, while others hit the streetlights beside the road.
"My God, that looks like an S-Rank Black-Crowned Golden Eagle. That's terrifying." Hiding in the corner of a wall, Luo Yuan watched the monster fly away, still shaken by what had happened.
The city had a defense system at an altitude of five hundred meters, so this flying monster had to be above that height. Even from so far away, its cry had possessed such power. Luo Yuan reminded himself not to underestimate the strength of monsters. Until he became powerful enough, he needed to keep as low a profile as possible.
When he returned to his rented apartment, Luo Yuan caught a faint scent of blood. Xu Qian was sitting on the living room sofa watching a movie, her shoulder wrapped in white cloth. Blood was faintly seeping through it.
"Qian, you're hurt," Luo Yuan said with concern.
"It's nothing. Some lowlife slashed me, that's all." Xu Qian's tone was casual and calm.
"Uh, Qian, could you tell me where I can quickly improve my practical combat skills?" Luo Yuan wisely refrained from asking further and changed the subject instead.
"You want to improve your practical combat skills? Just how strong are you now, little brother?" Xu Qian asked with amusement. She didn't think Luo Yuan could have reached any significant level in just one week.
Seeing her teasing expression, Luo Yuan simply took out his Advanced Student ID. Xu Qian, who had been snacking on melon seeds, froze for a moment.
"Well, well. Who would've thought my little brother was a martial arts prodigy? From an ordinary person to an advanced student in one week. That's unbelievable." Xu Qian looked at him with admiration and curiosity.
"You don't need to worry about that, Qian. You still haven't answered my question."
"All right. Since you already have that kind of strength, I can recommend two places. One is the Underground Arena. You can improve your practical combat skills and make money there, but it's very dangerous. You're gambling with your life. The other option is to join my organization. We have virtual training equipment that simulates real-life situations. I can use my clearance to let you in to use it. Which would you choose?"
Xu Qian asked with interest, her lovely eyes studying the young man before her. She knew that if she could recruit Luo Yuan into her organization, the benefits she would reap in the future would surely be limitless.
"Uh, then could you tell me about your organization, Qian, and your real circumstances?" Luo Yuan asked another question that had interested him for a long time. Just who was this woman named Xu Qian? He knew nothing about her.
P.S. To all you true gods out there, please send tips, monthly votes, and add this to your favorites. Luo Yuan bows before you.
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