novelraw Chapter 8: Secret Planning, Young Eagles Awaiting Flight
Chapter 8: Secret Planning, Young Eagles Awaiting Flight
"This kid is actually more capable of enduring hardship than I thought."
Hongning Base City.
Hong leaned back in his comfortable chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table as he looked at the encrypted file that appeared on the virtual screen in front of him.
The document is titled "A Report on the Stages of Luo Feng's Growth Trajectory".
Behind him, a trusted aide dressed in black knelt on one knee, head bowed, saying nothing.
The year is now 2055, and a long time has passed since the meeting that established the Earth Alliance.
During this time, Hong explored some ancient civilization ruins with lower danger levels, used the technology within to establish a virtual cyberspace for Earth, and allowed many martial artists to enter heritage ruins to obtain powerful equipment such as the Black God Set.
Under the powerful impetus of Hong's improved version of "Gene Energy Guidance Technique", the number and strength of human martial artists have experienced an unprecedented explosive growth.
Many powerful warriors at the level of war god have emerged, and some have even successfully advanced to the planetary level through life-and-death trials in the virtual space and with ample resources.
The war between humanity and monsters has finally shifted from initial defeats to a strategic stalemate. New survivor base cities are being built on the ruins, and the shattered civilization is finding new life in the wasteland.
The names Hong and Lei Shen have become myths and legends in the hearts of everyone in this era, and are the cornerstones of human civilization.
"Master, according to the latest intelligence, Luo Feng has recently increased his training intensity and taken on several physically demanding jobs outside of school in order to improve his family's living conditions. He has suffered from multiple injuries, but his mental fortitude remains exceptionally strong. Do you think we should secretly intervene and provide him with some assistance?"
The black-clad confidant's voice was completely flat, as if he were stating a trivial matter.
Hong waved his hand and turned off the virtual screen in front of him.
"No need. Jade must be carved to become a gem. True strength cannot grow in a greenhouse. This kind of tempering is a good thing for him. He is like a piece of raw jade now, needing the cruelest reality to polish away those rough edges before he can shine with the most dazzling light."
He stood up, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the bustling Hongning Base City under the setting sun.
Through the video footage sent back weekly by his confidants, he was like a hidden audience member, silently watching the boy named Luo Feng go through every key moment in his life.
He saw the boy in the grocery store, stubbornly carrying goods far exceeding his own weight in order to earn a few more dollars, his cheap T-shirt soaked with sweat.
He saw the boy in the simple training hall, sweating profusely in front of a worn-out punching bag, putting all his strength into every punch, his eyes burning with a flame of unwillingness to be mediocre.
They even saw that Luo Feng had fainted several times for no reason since he was a child because of the mental energy sphere in his brain.
"This guy's personality is exactly like the one described in the original work. He's willing to do anything for his family. I wonder if his dream is still to buy a house for his family?"
A barely perceptible smile appeared on Hong's lips.
He knew better than anyone else what terrifying power this seemingly pure obsession would unleash at some point in the future.
"By the way, the selection process for the new Global Talent Training Camp is about to begin, right?"
Hong seemed to suddenly remember something and asked without turning his head.
"Yes, Master. The preliminary rounds around the world have concluded, and the training camp assessments will be held simultaneously in all major base cities on the 15th of next month. The head instructor in charge has submitted this year's assessment standards, which are the same as in previous years. Would you like me to review them now?"
The trusted confidant in black answered respectfully.
"No need, let him come see me in person."
Hong gave the order in a calm tone.
Ten minutes later, a tall, resolute-looking middle-aged man exuding an aura of steel strode into the office and gave Hong a crisp military salute as he walked away.
"Master! Wang Yu, Head Instructor of the Extreme Martial Arts Gym Global Training Camp, reporting for duty!"
"Yes, Wang Yu, the standards for this year's preliminary martial arts assessment need to be adjusted."
Hong turned around and looked at the meritorious instructor who had trained countless elites for the Extreme Martial Arts Academy, and said calmly.
"Please give instructions, Master."
Wang Yu's expression was serious. He knew that anything that could get the museum master to personally intervene was no small matter.
"The minimum standard for physical fitness assessment will be lowered by two percent compared to last year."
As soon as Hong finished speaking, Wang Yu's expression changed instantly. He raised his head abruptly, his tone filled with shock and confusion.
"Master! This...this is absolutely impossible!"
"Oh? Tell me your reasons."
Hong's expression remained unchanged; he simply watched him quietly.
Wang Yu took a deep breath, trying to calm his agitated emotions, and said in a deep voice, "Master, as you know, the Genius Training Camp is the cradle of human martial artists, representing the highest level of martial artists on Earth! The reason we have been able to suppress the Thunder Martial Arts Academy is because of our elite training model. Every batch of students recruited are geniuses selected from hundreds or thousands of martial artists worldwide."
"Lowering the standard by two percent may not sound like much, but it means that a large number of people whose physical fitness barely meets the standard will be able to sneak into our assessment for various reasons, and even pass it! This will not only seriously lower the overall level of our training camp, but it is also unfair to those true geniuses! I urge you to think twice, Master!"
His tone was firm and resolute; clearly, he could not accept this decision, which he considered utterly absurd.
Seeing his excited expression, Hong wasn't angry; instead, she smiled.
"Wang Yu, I know all that you're saying. However, physical fitness is only the most basic element of a person's potential, isn't it? Sometimes, willpower is more important than talent. I have my reasons for doing this."
He didn't offer much explanation, but simply gave the order again in an unquestionable tone.
"In addition, a 'Trial Tower' challenge will be added to this year's virtual space assessment. All martial artists whose physical fitness just barely meets the passing grade must participate. The final ranking will be based primarily on the number of floors reached in the Trial Tower, with physical fitness points as a secondary factor. Let's proceed with that."
Wang Yu opened his mouth, wanting to argue further, but when he saw Hong Ping's calm gaze, all the words stuck in his throat. He knew that once the master made a decision, there was no possibility of changing it.
That insignificant two percent precisely pinpointed the physical limits Luo Feng could reach in two years, given his current training intensity. Furthermore, the "Trial Tower" assessment was a tailor-made path to the heavens for a genius like him, whose mental fortitude far surpassed his physical abilities.
"Yes...yes, Master."
Wang Yu finally lowered his head, filled with doubt, and turned to leave the office.
After paving this seemingly insignificant yet crucial path for Luo Feng, Hong's eyes instantly sharpened. He immediately shifted all his focus back to another long-planned major event: he had been stuck at the ninth level of the planetary realm for some time, and it was time to "fleece" some resources.
He connected with Thor via an internal line.
"Thor, log in to the virtual space immediately."
Thor on the other end of the communication line was stunned for a moment, then realized the seriousness of the situation.
"Brother, what happened? Have those beasts in the sea made some big move again?"
"That's more important. In short, speed is key."
Hong hung up the call and walked to the holographic projection equipment in the center of the office.
A moment later, Thor's virtual projection appeared in the conference room.
"Brother, what's the matter? Why did you call me here in such a hurry?"
Hong didn't speak, but simply stretched out his finger and gently tapped it in the air.
A massive 3D holographic map instantly unfolded in the center of the conference room. Thor's gaze was drawn to a particular area on the map.
It was a huge island shrouded in thick fog year-round, marked in striking blood red on the map, with several skull signs next to it indicating "extreme danger" and "no entry".
"This is……"
Thor looked at the area, his expression turning serious. "'Kirishima'? Dude, why did you bring up a map of this place?"
Hong looked at Thor, his voice cold and resolute.
"We've had enough of this comfortable life."
He slowly raised his hand, and his index finger pressed heavily on the blood-red area from a distance.
"I've decided that in three days, the two of us brothers will go to Kirishima together!"