Outside the Patrol Department.

People came and went along the roadside, their laughter and chatter mingling with the sound of car horns.

An autumn breeze blew as children ran and played around the fountain in the public square, creating a scene of peaceful, lively activity.

The black sedan started up again, slowly driving down the street.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Lu Chao was slightly dazed, Chen Xiao’s words still echoing in his mind.

’The ironclad rule left by the Starry Sky Heroes?’

The atmosphere inside the car fell quiet.

Starry Sky Heroes. The last time he’d heard a similar term was when that man, Chu Chengfeng, briefly mentioned it on the holographic screen for Stacked Force Fist.

Memories surfaced—distant images from his original self’s mind, along with certain legends he had occasionally come across online these past few days.

Fearless Robert, Crimson Flame Fist Zhou Wuhai, Shadow of Frostfall Daina’li’er...

Seven people in total.

According to the historical records of the Earth Star Alliance, during the difficult years of the post-apocalyptic wasteland, it was these seven legendary heroes, led by Fearless Robert, who first established sanctuary cities, sheltering human civilization and allowing it to survive the threat of rampaging Mutant Beasts.

It was also they who earned the respect of extraterrestrial civilizations, securing a vast amount of off-world aid, which led to the formation of the Alliance Country and the rebuilding of civilization.

As early as fifty years ago, they were already true Martial Artists and powerful Superpower Users whose Life Energy had surpassed the hundred-point mark.

But later, after civilization stabilized and the Alliance grew stronger...

...they suddenly left Earth Star, joining forces to venture into the cosmos.

For thirty long years, they never appeared again, their fates unknown.

Since then, no one else has been able to enter space and personally touch the galaxy they could only gaze at from afar.

Many people within the Alliance Country regarded them as heroes and held their memory dear. Even today, some still occasionally speak of them.

And the ironclad rule they left behind...

’You must not refuse a reasonable request for aid from a settlement...’

Lu Chao’s brow furrowed as he pondered for a few moments.

It might have had profound meaning in the law-of-the-jungle, resource-scarce wasteland era, but now, amid the tense situation between the Wilderness Warlords and the Alliance Country...

Beside him, Chen Xiao waved his hand helplessly, indicating that he didn’t understand why such a rule was left behind either.

The two of them fell into silence, each lost in their own speculations.

The car didn’t stop, heading straight for the next district to resume its patrol.

...

「A few days later.」

Nine in the morning, Jinshi Boxing Hall.

Lu Chao, dressed in a black athletic jacket with a satchel slung over his shoulder, strode briskly across the concrete training ground and entered the training hall.

More and more new faces appeared before him.

By now, there were nearly forty official disciples practicing their Martial Arts inside.

Some were sweating profusely as they struck punching bags, sending showers of sweat flying with each blow.

Others were in a low stance, holding massive, round iron balls to their chests, gritting their teeth against the exhaustion.

Everything should have been as usual.

However...

"Hm?"

Lu Chao stopped short, looking toward the rear door of the training hall.

He saw Luo Qianshan, dressed in a traditional long robe, strolling with his hands behind his back. Beside him stood a young man who looked to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven.

The young man wore a well-fitted, sky-blue martial arts uniform with several silver-threaded patterns lining the cuffs and collar, which resembled streaks of flowing lightning.

His 1.83-meter frame was accentuated to appear as straight as a spear. With sharp brows, bright eyes, and a lean, powerful build, he gave off a cold and stern impression.

’So this is the head disciple from Thunder Extreme Martial Arts Hall?’

’I heard that he reached the peak of the Professional Level half a year ago, with a Life Energy of over sixty points. He even received funding from the Biotechnology Company.’

’I think his name is... Wu... Wu something... right, Wu Yuntao!’

It was him.

As the thought flashed through his mind, Lu Chao ignored the quiet discussions of the junior disciples around him.

A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes. He felt a trace of doubt and curiosity, having never expected to see one of the former "Three Prodigies of Iron Ring" here.

The last time he had seen him was from a distance in the spectator stands of the Martial Arts Tournament, where Wu Yuntao had been the dazzling center of attention.

Before that, there were only fragmented memories from his original self’s time at the orphanage.

As if sensing his gaze, the other man looked over.

Wu Yuntao gave him a simple glance, his expression unchanging, then turned to Luo Qianshan and clasped his hands. "Master Luo, please, there’s no need to see me out."

"On the day of my master’s birthday banquet, I hope you will come early to enjoy some tea and incense, and to discuss Martial Arts with us."

"Very well."

Luo Qianshan nodded lightly, his expression neutral and noncommittal.

He then stopped and stood in place.

Zheng Wu stepped forward at the right moment to see the guest out on his behalf.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the training hall became unusually quiet. Many disciples watched out of the corners of their eyes, their interest piqued.

Their whispers were filled with speculation about Wu Yuntao’s true strength and even his background.

CLACK! CLACK! 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

With successive steps, Lu Chao stood at the entrance of the training hall, watching the other man walk toward him.

In his original self’s memories, Wu Yuntao had always been cold and distant, especially after leaving the orphanage. He had grown apart from everyone, including people like Chen Junhao.

Regardless, they had all spent time together at the orphanage once.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Chao decided that since they had run into each other, he should at least offer a greeting.

He opened his mouth to speak, but unexpectedly...

STEP!

A footstep sounded as the two brushed past each other.

Wu Yuntao, in his sky-blue martial arts uniform, had a placid expression as he shot Lu Chao a sidelong glance.

His gaze was indifferent and detached, showing none of the emotion of seeing an old acquaintance. There was only a condescending strangeness, as if he were glancing past a pebble or a speck of dust on the roadside.

Their eyes met for only a brief instant before Wu Yuntao walked straight out the training hall door.

Zheng Wu, who had been about to speak, looked a little confused by the scene, but he didn’t dwell on it. He quickly followed to see the guest out of the boxing hall.

VROOOM!

The roar of an engine followed, and Lu Chao turned to look.

A Sai Wei sedan was parked by the road, where members of the Thunder Extreme Martial Arts Hall had been waiting the whole time.

A moment later, amid Zheng Wu’s farewells, Wu Yuntao got into the car, closed the window, and slowly drove away.

The entire process was silent. The car’s taillights receded into the distance, disappearing beyond the iron gate.

’Seems like he wasn’t too keen on acknowledging me,’ Lu Chao thought, his eyebrow twitching slightly.

Thinking back, he had never offended the man.

A thought flashed in his mind, and he turned his head to look back inside the training hall.

Master Luo was walking away with his hands behind his back, leaving only the sight of his figure retreating to the rear courtyard.

’Could it be because of what happened at the Martial Arts Tournament? Did Thunder Extreme Martial Arts Hall develop a grudge against us?’

’But if that’s the case, why would he come here on his own accord?’

While he was still pondering, Zheng Wu returned.

Lu Chao walked up to him to make small talk and took the opportunity to ask about the matter.

"Wu Yuntao’s master, Lei Wanjun, the master of Thunder Extreme Martial Arts Hall, is celebrating his sixtieth birthday soon."

Zheng Wu explained in a steady tone, "He’s apparently invited a lot of people. The masters of all the major martial arts halls in Ring City are on the guest list. The venue is Fuman Building..."

He spoke carefully, but his words only made Lu Chao more confused.

’Could it be a trap?’

He had heard of this Master Lei, who was quite a renowned figure in Ring City.

Rumor had it that he had reached the Elite Level Peak many years ago. Some even whispered that he might have already broken through the hundred-point Life Energy barrier, becoming a true Martial Artist.

He looked at Zheng Wu, but the other man just shook his head slightly, seemingly unwilling to say more on the subject.

Taking the hint, Lu Chao nodded and suppressed his doubts, not pressing the issue further.

While chatting, he walked over to the training area, changed into his practice clothes, and began his training.

After a while, there was a commotion at the entrance as Shen Tianchen, Fang Jingyi, and the others arrived late.

Amid the noisy discussion, Lin Qingxue hurried over to stop them, appearing to say something to them.

In addition, new recruits arrived wanting to become disciples, which drew Zheng Wu away to test and receive them.

Keeping his eyes fixed forward, Lu Chao didn’t glance over as he might have in the past.

His mind sank into a state of immersion. He lowered his waist, settled his stance, and focused completely on his own training.