October 7th, 2056, a Saturday, was the day the five members of the Fire Hammer Squad had agreed to meet at the HR Alliance Mall.

Morning.

A gracefully curved coupe, exuding an air of elegance, slowly pulled into the HR Alliance Mall plaza, stopping directly at the entrance of the HR Skyscraper lobby. Luo Feng and Chen Gu, dressed in simple casual shirts, alighted and entered the ground floor hall, greeted by the doorman.

"Very well, sir, please wait a moment."

The instant Luo Feng stepped into the lobby, his eyes caught sight of Xu Xin at the distant bar, dressed like a professional woman in a white shirt, smiling and conversing with several martial artists. Suddenly, she inadvertently noticed a figure approaching the bar; upon closer inspection, a flash of pleasant surprise crossed Xu Xin's eyes.

"Luo Feng," Xu Xin called out with a smile.

"Xu Xin," Luo Feng replied, standing by the bar. "Bring me a Pu-erh tea. By the way, do you have time? Can we old classmates catch up?"

Xu Xin hesitated slightly, then smiled, giving instructions to another server nearby before stepping out from behind the bar. "It's not too busy today; there aren't many guests. Let's go, Luo Feng, we can chat over there." Just then, Chen Gu, seated on a sofa in the distance, gave Luo Feng a thumbs-up gesture across the space.

In a quiet corner of the bar, Luo Feng and Xu Xin sat opposite each other.

"Luo Feng, when did you get back from the Wilderness Area last time? Was it not long ago?" Xu Xin sat quietly, holding a cup of tea. The green leaves cast a faint green glow over the entire transparent teacup.

"It's been a while since I returned," Luo Feng answered.

A gentle smile touched Xu Xin’s lips, and she couldn't help but laugh. "You’ve been back this long and haven't even come to see an old classmate. Are you... looking down on your old friends? Among all my classmates from three years of high school, only you, Luo Feng, became a martial artist. I’ve been hoping for the day your name becomes famous so I can brag about it."

"Heh, Xu Xin, which university are you attending now?" Luo Feng asked.

Luo Feng and Xu Xin sat there, chatting casually about their current lives. Although Luo Feng harbored a secret affection for Xu Xin, and she was aware of his feelings... both deliberately avoided touching upon that layer, continuing their quiet conversation.

Despite the outwardly placid conversation, Luo Feng felt quite content.

...

At that moment, a young man dressed in a black shirt and black slacks emerged from the elevator. His gaze swept the area and immediately fixed upon Xu Xin and Luo Feng in the corner of the bar.

"Who is Xiao Xin chatting with?" The young man frowned slightly, looking closer. "Is that... Luo Feng, one of the three senior trainees from Xiao Xin’s high school?" He was extremely familiar with the high school Xu Xin had attended, and he had seen the profiles of the very famous Luo Feng and Zhang Haobai among the students there.

A cold smile played on the young man's lips. "Just a few days ago, while eating at home, Xiao Xin mentioned this Luo Feng. So they've reconnected."

The young man walked to another part of the bar and sat down silently.

※※

Luo Feng felt he was having a wonderful conversation with Xu Xin, but someone seemed to be calling her from the bar area. Xu Xin stood up, offering an apology. "Luo Feng, I'm sorry, I need to get back to work now."

"Go ahead, don't worry about me," Luo Feng said with a smile.

"Xiao Xin, is this your friend?" A male voice cut in. Luo Feng turned to see a handsome young man, who bore a slight resemblance to Xu Xin, standing nearby. He smiled at Xu Xin, then smiled at Luo Feng. Xu Xin exclaimed in surprise, "Brother! You're at the mall today too. Oh, this is my old classmate, Luo Feng. Brother, I need to get back to work now; you two can chat."

"Sure, you go on," the young man nodded with a smile, then turned to Luo Feng. "Hello, Luo Feng. Let me introduce myself; I am Xu Gang, Xu Xin’s older brother."

Brother?

If he managed to win Xu Xin over, wouldn't this guy be his brother-in-law?

"Hello," Luo Feng stood up and shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Luo Feng," Xu Gang said, sitting down with a smile. "I’ve heard a lot about you, Luo Feng. At your high school, my sister mentioned there were only three senior trainees at the martial arts school, and you were one of them! And my sister told me you're already an official martial artist now?"

Luo Feng nodded, smiling.

"Wow, truly remarkable, a martial artist at eighteen," Xu Gang marveled, then smiled. "Is my sister very low-key at school?"

"She is very low-key; nobody could tell how wealthy her family is," Luo Feng chuckled. The Xu Xin of those days was indeed a simple and quiet girl.

Xu Gang’s smile widened. "Haha, actually, my grandfather was worried about his young lady becoming spoiled, so he insisted my sister attend a regular school instead of an elite academy. He wanted her to experience life among ordinary people up close! It seems my sister has done a wonderful job."

Luo Feng frowned slightly. Young Miss of a noble family? He already knew Xu Xin was the young miss of the Xu family.

"Did your sister not tell you about her family's situation?" Xu Gang asked, looking puzzled.

"She didn't say, but I know about the Xu family," Luo Feng replied calmly with a smile. "That’s one of the twelve major family conglomerates in the HR Alliance in China." Luo Feng already sensed the underlying meaning in Xu Gang's words—Xu Gang wasn't revealing it directly but was steering the conversation toward the fact that...

Xu Xin was the Young Miss of the Xu family!

"Oh, you know." Xu Gang sighed with realization. "In truth, these major families have their troubles, especially matters of marriage; sometimes, things don't go as one wishes. Take my sister, for instance; many outstanding young men are pursuing her now. For example, Wang Xingping from Jingdu City, and there’s also Guo Hai from our Jiangnan City, a Martial Arts War General level martial artist who is only 21."

Luo Feng stiffened.

Others pursuing Xu Xin?

"That Guo Hai is quite thick-skinned," Xu Gang shook his head, cursing softly. "He’s just a War General level martial artist; what does he think he is? My Xu family holds a certain standing in the world; how could we easily marry the young lady of our family off to a martial artist whose life is constantly on the line? He might die in the Wilderness Area any day."

Luo Feng’s brow furrowed.

"Luo Feng, am I wrong? Martial artists walk the line between life and death; they could perish at any moment. How could my family allow the young miss to marry a martial artist, right?" Xu Gang asked with a smile. Seeing Luo Feng's expression, he quickly added, "Oh, don't take this the wrong way. I'm not referring to you."

Luo Feng was in a foul mood.

Not referring to him?

Xu Gang brought up this topic repeatedly, clearly implying that the Young Miss of the Xu family would never marry a martial artist who might die at any moment. Therefore, Luo Feng should stop indulging in wishful thinking.

"Actually," Xu Gang continued sentimentally, "I much prefer Wang Xingping. Wang Xingping is the direct young master of the Wang family in Jingdu City. The Wang family also controls immense wealth; he only needs to sign documents and issue commands from home daily to have many martial artists serve him, without risking his life."

"As a brother, of course, I hope my sister can live a stable life," Xu Gang sighed. "Compared to a martial artist, a young master from a family with colossal wealth is a truly suitable match for my sister."

"Martial artists?"

"Families like the Wangs and my Xu family—which one doesn't have a group of War General level martial artists under their banner? Not to mention countless Warrior level martial artists." Xu Gang shook his head and smiled. His tone clearly conveyed his disdain for martial artists; he was openly scornful of Warrior level fighters.

He had the standing to be arrogant!

The HR Alliance, one of the twelve major family conglomerates in China, indeed controlled numerous War General level martial artists and a sea of Warrior level ones.

"Luo Feng." A voice called from the distance.

Luo Feng turned to see Captain Gao Feng and the Wei brothers had arrived and were sitting with Chen Gu. Luo Feng called out with a smile, "Captain, I'm coming right over."

"Young Master Xu Gang," Luo Feng said, looking at Xu Gang with a smile.

"Hm?" Xu Gang smiled slightly.

He believed that after all he’d said, the other party should understand his meaning. If his family looked down upon a 21-year-old Intermediate War General martial artist, then Luo Feng, a newcomer who had only just become a martial artist, should have the self-awareness to stop bothering his sister.

"Young Master Xu Gang, your Xu family is truly formidable, able to command a host of War General level martial artists," Luo Feng said with a slight smile. "However, I wonder, can your Xu family summon a War God level expert on call, to come and go as you please?"

Xu Gang was stunned.

How many War God level experts were there in Jiangnan City? His Xu family did have War God level experts, but they were only persuaded or courted through the family's vast wealth and connections.

"I wonder," Luo Feng continued, "can your Xu family even arrange a meeting with an existence beyond the War God level?"

Xu Gang’s face darkened.

Existences beyond the War God level, such as the world's number one powerhouse, 'Hong'—these were beings treated as equals by an entire nation's military. Even if his family conglomerate wanted to meet these peak experts standing at the world's zenith, they lacked the qualifications. Not to mention comparing to them.

Compared to peak figures like 'Hong' and 'Thunder God,' the Xu family was merely an ant!

"Young Master Xu Gang, we are considered acquaintances, so allow me to give you a word of advice... do not look down on martial artists." Luo Feng looked at Xu Gang. Since Xu Gang showed him no respect, why should Luo Feng afford him any?

With that, Luo Feng turned and walked away.

※※※

The air conditioning in the hall was refreshingly cool, and the music flowed softly like a gentle stream, yet Luo Feng felt a fire brewing inside him. "Families like the Wangs and my Xu family—which one doesn't have a group of War General level martial artists under their banner? Not to mention countless Warrior level martial artists," Xu Gang’s words echoed relentlessly in Luo Feng's mind.

"Xu Gang!"

"You said all that just to make me retreat in the face of difficulty and stop pursuing your sister, didn't you?" Luo Feng’s eyes were cold. "Rest assured, I, Luo Feng, will certainly reach the pinnacle of martial arts in this life! A powerhouse treated as an equal by government and military forces! By then, I expect your Xu family to greet me with smiles when I visit!"

Of course, he intended to pursue Xu Xin...

But he wanted the Xu family to welcome him with smiles, adopting a humble posture to receive him warmly!

"Martial artists are the ultimate power in this world!"

"The so-called family conglomerates are nothing but dust before the mightiest martial artists!"

At this moment!

This morning of October 7th, 2056!

Luo Feng’s first encounter with Xu Gang finally ignited the nascent seeds of his ambition!

———— End of Volume Three!