In the study, Luo Feng casually opened a video titled Force Application Technique.
He had barely started watching when the imposing Wargod on screen began explaining how to exert force.
"Turn it off."
"Watching this stuff is a complete waste of time."
Luo Feng's finger paused.
"Teacher, I feel like what they're saying might be a little useful."
Lin Mo snorted with laughter.
"What they teach is useful only at the Apprentice Level, to put it bluntly."
"In civilizations with outstanding talent and a somewhat broader outlook, people might encounter these things while laying their foundations at the Apprentice Level."
"Once they reach the Planetary Level, truly promising geniuses turn their attention to higher-level laws."
"Laws?"
Luo Feng was taken aback. The word was unfamiliar to him, yet full of mystery.
"That's right."
"Laws are the most fundamental principles governing the universe's operation, the noblest and most powerful force."
"Once you gain an initial understanding of the power of laws, you'll possess a Law Domain."
"Among the Human Race, truly peerless geniuses can step across the threshold of laws at the Star Level."
"It's nothing unusual for a genius like that to single-handedly defeat over a thousand ordinary Star Level warriors of the same rank with ease."
Luo Feng was shaken to his core, but also somewhat bewildered.
"Law Domains, the threshold of laws? Teacher, could you explain in more detail?"
"What does this have to do with the force application and movement techniques I'm learning now?"
Lin Mo seemed to have expected Luo Feng's question and pondered briefly.
"First of all, it has nothing to do with the force application and movement techniques you're learning now."
"The laws of the universe form a vast system."
"They can be broadly divided into two categories."
"The Time Law and the Space Law are Higher Laws."
"They're incomparably profound and extremely difficult to comprehend."
"Beneath these two Higher Laws, numerous Lower Laws branch out."
"For example, metal, wood, water, fire, and earth are five Lower Laws whose corresponding Higher Law is the Space Law."
"As for light, wind, and lightning, these three laws lean toward energy or speed."
"They're also Lower Laws, and their corresponding Higher Law is the Time Law."
And so, as time passed,
Lin Mo spoke of laws, from the most basic to those of higher levels.
Luo Feng listened as though lost in clouds and mist, feeling as if he were hearing a heavenly book.
The Eight Lower Laws and the two Higher Laws.
Law Domains, from the first level to the ninth.
These concepts were too grand and abstract, far beyond his current understanding of power.
Warriors on Earth were still pursuing greater speed, greater strength, and more exquisite techniques.
Yet the universe's powerhouses were already playing with Universe Laws?
There was one thing he understood, however, and it left him utterly shaken.
"Teacher, you mean to say..."
"The true powerhouses in the universe don't do what we Earth warriors do at all?"
"They don't spend huge amounts of time studying how to exert force to increase their explosive power, or train painstakingly in a particular weapon technique?"
"What they pursue is direct control over a higher level of power like laws?"
"You could put it that way."
Lin Mo affirmed.
"Before the true power of laws, brute force can't withstand a single blow."
"A Star Level warrior who has reached the threshold of the Flame Law..."
"Even a casual strike contains a trace of the Flame Law, making it far more powerful than a brute-force attack from a warrior of the same rank."
Luo Feng looked at the image on the computer screen.
Suddenly, he found it somewhat dull.
He turned off the instructional video, an indescribable emotion welling up in his heart.
There was longing for the vast universe and an awareness of how small he was.
And there was an even stronger desire to touch power on a higher level.
"Then, Teacher, what should I do now? Start comprehending laws right away?"
Luo Feng asked somewhat eagerly.
"What's the rush?"
"My plan for you is to break through to the Planetary Level quickly once you have the resources."
"Only after reaching the Planetary Level and awakening a law ability can you comprehend Universe Laws."
"Okay."
Luo Feng nodded, his gaze growing sharp and resolute once more.
Over the next few days,
Luo Feng thoroughly followed Lin Mo's instruction that there was no need to socialize.
He politely declined every invitation, whether overt or subtle.
Whether it was the Jiangnan Pavilion neighbors proposing a meal out of fellow townsmen's fellowship,
or the well-informed people in the Training Camp-
the small groups extending olive branches in an attempt to make early contact with this newcomer admitted as an exception-
he declined them all, citing his need to familiarize himself with the environment and adjust his condition.
This nearly reclusive, unsociable attitude naturally prompted some discussion and sidelong glances.
Everyone who made it in was a favored child of heaven.
Most were proud and arrogant, and Luo Feng's exceptional admission had already drawn attention.
His unsociable attitude made him all the more likely to draw criticism.
Luo Feng heard a little of the gossip through the internal network.
But he merely laughed it off, his heart without a ripple.
Just as his teacher had said, these people were only brief passersby on the long road of martial arts.
His goal was the vast universe. How could he be distracted by the clamor of these ants?
He spent all his time on improving himself.
Time flew as he focused on cultivation.
Amid Luo Feng's low-key but productive preparations, the month slowly drew to a close.
Tomorrow would mark a new month, and the day the Black Dragon Ranking was refreshed.
It would also be the first day of Luo Feng's journey to climb the ranking!
Late at night, in a second-floor room of the Jiangnan Pavilion,
Luo Feng carefully wiped the newly purchased Blood Shadow Battle Blade in his hands.
The blade gleamed with a cold, dark luster under the light.
A notice about tomorrow's operation had already arrived on his Communication Watch.
Tomorrow, Luo Feng would join the other trainees
and head to a Wilderness Zone about 300 kilometers from the Training Camp.
There stood a city designated City 1001.
It was a place the Training Camp used specifically for trainees to gain combat experience and hunt monsters for points.
Just then, Luo Feng's personal phone rang softly.
He stopped wiping the blade and glanced at the screen.
It was a video call from Xu Xin.
About an hour ago, he had sent Xu Xin a message,
briefly telling her that he would be leaving for the Wilderness Zone tomorrow for combat training.
Now, Luo Feng answered the call without hesitation.
"Hello, Luo Feng."
Xu Xin's face appeared on the screen.
The background seemed to be her bedroom, warmly lit.
She seemed to have just bathed. Her hair was still somewhat damp as it fell over her shoulders, and her face was filled with concern.
"Are you going to the Wilderness Zone tomorrow? Will it be dangerous?"
"No. It's a little safer since it's in the designated City 1001, after all."
Luo Feng's voice softened unconsciously as he gently set the Blood Shadow Battle Blade aside.
"Don't worry. I'll be careful."
"A designated city? That's good, then."
Xu Xin breathed a slight sigh of relief, but the worry between her brows did not completely fade.
"You have to be careful. I read some information saying the competition in the Elite Training Camp is fierce."
"You've only just arrived, so don't push yourself too hard."
"I know."
Luo Feng nodded, looking at Xu Xin's clear eyes on the screen.
The two chatted a little more about everyday matters.
Xu Xin talked about amusing things at school, while Luo Feng briefly described the Training Camp's environment,
leaving out the unfavorable remarks about him.
The atmosphere of the call was warm and peaceful,
tinged with the sweetness peculiar to young people experiencing their first stirrings of affection.