Late on the night of July 31st, at Villa No. 199 in Mingyue Community, the second floor housed four oversized rooms: a bedroom, a home theater, a reception room, and a massive training hall. This training hall spanned a full 120 square meters, consuming nearly half the total area of the second floor.

In the dead of night, the lamplight from the community streets sliced through the glass of the home theater, refracting into the second-floor training hall.

Luo Feng sat cross-legged on the floor, clad in loose training attire. Two streaks of light continuously circled his body with rapid movements, then darted throughout the training hall like joyful birds—now soaring, now diving, now banking, incredibly swift and agile.

After a moment, the two streaks of light decelerated and halted, hovering before Luo Feng. They were, unmistakably, his two flying blades.

"With my current telekinetic ability, I can only manage dual focus. If I controlled four or five blades... the speed, the power—everything would drastically diminish." For the better part of the last month, Luo Feng had dedicated the bulk of his energy, outside of bringing his physical strength to a point of absolute, precise control, to his psychic power.

During this past month living in Mingyue Community, Luo Feng had met numerous martial artists. Through conversations, he confirmed one crucial fact—his innate mental force was indeed psychic power!

"The martial artist practical assessment is tomorrow; I need a good rest tonight."

Luo Feng rose, slid open the glass door, and retired to the bedroom to sleep.

××××××

On the morning of August 1st, led by a martial artist from the Limitless Gathering Hall, over thirty prospective martial artists, including Luo Feng and Yang Wu, headed for the train station.

"Kussssh—Kussssh—" The friction sound of the rapidly moving train was faint, yet the carriage was a cacophony of noise. The train car featured a fully sealed structure, lacking any glass to observe the outside world. On the large screen in every carriage, a figure was currently displayed.

A mass of prospective martial artists were seated within the car.

"Esteemed prospective martial artists, future martial artists, I represent the HR Alliance." A middle-aged man was speaking on the carriage screen in a live broadcast. "I trust you have all heard of the HR Alliance! The world's most powerful organization, the wealthiest organization, the one boasting the most martial artists! You are undoubtedly familiar with our HR Alliance's other name—the Underground Alliance!"

The prospective martial artists inside the carriage gradually quieted down.

Luo Feng and Yang Wu sat side-by-side, looking up at the large screen.

"Crazy Luo, you know about the Underground Alliance, right?" Yang Wu chuckled. "That's the big money bag! The wealthiest organization on the planet, richer than a national government."

"I know."

Luo Feng smiled. Having lived in Mingyue Community for the past month, he had gleaned a fair amount of basic information from the martial artists there. Before the Great Nirvana Period, powerful families in places like America and various European nations controlled certain political factions. Families such as the Morgans, the Rockefellers, the Onassis clan...

These families once commanded control over more than half of the world's immense wealth!

However, when the Great Nirvana Period arrived and the monster attacks began, many smaller nations perished, and major powers were forced into self-preservation. Government control, backed by military might, became unprecedentedly strong. At this juncture, several ancient, powerful families across the globe, fearing suppression by government armies, banded together to establish—the HR Alliance, also known as the Human Rights Alliance.

Human Rights Alliance—a fine title. In reality, it was an alliance forged to solidify the influence of these super-family powers. To the martial artists, it was derogatorily termed the 'Underground Alliance.'

"Our Alliance is the largest martial artist exchange platform in the world! Here, you can accept missions that offer astronomical rewards."

"Our Alliance holds immense influence across the globe! Join us, become one of us, and even if you travel to America, the EU, or any other region, you will enjoy the highest caliber of service."

"Our Alliance possesses formidable military and political power; join us..."

...

The middle-aged man lectured on the carriage screen for a full fifteen minutes.

"Prospective martial artists,"

The carriage screen switched to another man with a severe expression. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Liu, Deputy Director of the Jiangnan Base City Security Bureau. In our Huaxia Nation, the power of the government and the military is undeniably supreme! Join the government or the military, and no matter where you are in Huaxia Nation, you will receive the best support."

...

"Everyone," the screen briefly shifted to another person. "I am Wang, the director of the Thunder God Gathering Hall in Jiangnan Base City. Our Thunder God Hall was established by the invincible expert possessing the world's fastest speed, 'Thunder God,' and we have Thunder God Hall branches all over the world..."

...

"Prospective martial artists, the first three speakers have introduced themselves. There's no need for further introduction; you already know I represent the Limitless Gathering Hall!" The screen switched again to another individual. "My surname is Zhuge! Limitless Gathering Hall... this is the largest martial arts hall in the world, founded by the world's foremost powerhouse! Our hall possesses the strongest might on earth..."

...

The combined propaganda from the four speakers spurred animated discussions among the prospective martial artists in the carriage.

"Second Brother, which faction are you planning to join once you become a martial artist? I think Limitless Gathering Hall sounds great."

"Joining the Underground Alliance earns the most money, haha."

"The Thunder God Hall offers slightly better welfare benefits for martial artists than the Limitless Gathering Hall. Joining the Thunder God Hall isn't bad either."

The excited murmurs of the prospective martial artists filled every corner of the carriage.

Luo Feng and Yang Wu also discussed in low voices: "Crazy Luo, my instructor, and my senior brothers from before all joined the Limitless Gathering Hall, and now you're joining too. I'll do the same! Anyway, even if I join the Limitless Gathering Hall, I can still accept missions from the Underground Alliance. As for purchasing supplies, I can do it within the Limitless Hall, or through the Underground Alliance."

"Limitless Gathering Hall, Thunder God Hall, Underground Alliance, Government Military..." Luo Feng was fully aware of the hierarchy.

Within the borders of their motherland, the government military was the strongest.

Next was the Underground Alliance, the coalition formed by the world's various super-families. Even national governments dared not offend them lightly, as this Underground Alliance practically controlled the economic lifeline of the entire world!

The Thunder God Hall and the Limitless Gathering Hall ranked last in terms of direct power. However, joining either of the two great martial halls also signified freedom!

"Brother Yang, look around this train—how many prospective martial artists do you think there are?" Luo Feng glanced around. A single carriage held over a hundred people.

"A lot of people," Yang Wu shrugged. "I overheard someone talking earlier. They say the martial artist practical assessments happen twice a year, and each time, over a thousand prospective martial artists from all over Jiangnan Base City show up to participate."

"Over a thousand people?" Luo Feng was genuinely shocked. But then again, considering the two hundred million people in Jiangnan City, and the ten million in Yangzhou City, this averaged out to only a few dozen per million.

A moment later—

"Prospective martial artists, the train is about to arrive at the station. Please prepare to disembark." A voice announced over the carriage loudspeaker. As the train gradually decelerated to a halt.

Hsssh—The carriage doors opened, and the prospective martial artists from every car alighted.

Soon, the vast procession of hopefuls entered a large military compound. The camp occupied an enormous area, especially around the perimeter where various heavy thermal weapons were stationed haphazardly, their muzzles all pointing outward. Numerous soldiers stood guard, armed with sophisticated weaponry.

Luo Feng and his group of prospective martial artists observed their surroundings.

"Look outside the camp," Yang Wu excitedly pointed into the distance.

Luo Feng looked closely and saw several ravenous monsters beyond the camp's security line, letting out roars. Yet, these beasts dared not approach the perimeter.

Ga—

With a piercing shriek, the prospective martial artists looked up almost simultaneously. In the clear blue sky, hundreds of dense, winged monsters swept past in a furious torrent.

"The books said that once you leave the base city, you see monsters everywhere. What the books said is absolutely true," Luo Feng's eyes gleamed. "Humans can only live within base cities, or congregate in military camps. Only martial artists can venture alone into these areas and fight those powerful monsters!"

"Everyone—"

A resonant voice reached the ears of every prospective martial artist. "Welcome to the North Military District of Jiangnan City. This is where the martial artist practical assessment for you, group 1680, will be held. I hope the majority of you pass the assessment, and I hope every single one of you passes this practical trial alive!"