"Mom, Dad, I'm heading to the 'Limit Field House' downtown. I probably won't be back for lunch today," Luo Feng said, standing up after downing a large bowl of porridge and three flatbreads. "Just wait for my good news today. As soon as I pass the assessment, I’ll call you immediately."

His mother, Gong Xinlan, glanced playfully at Luo Hongguo. "Hongguo, did you hear that? You better keep your phone close. Don't let your son try to call you when you can't be found."

"I'll definitely have my phone on me," Luo Hongguo chuckled.

"Okay, I'm off now."

Luo Feng winked at his younger brother, Luo Hua, who returned the gesture with a thumbs-up and a grin.

××××××

Early in the morning, Luo Feng left the South Shore District, took the Metro Line 11 to the 'Zhong'an Road Station,' then transferred to Line 1, arriving at the central hub of Yangzhou City. After exiting the subway, he walked for another ten minutes before finally reaching the headquarters of the Limit Martial Arts School—the Limit Field House.

He had left home just after 6 a.m., and by the time Luo Feng arrived at his destination, it was nearly 8 a.m.

"Is this the legendary Mingyue District?" Luo Feng stood outside the imposing gate of a tranquil residential complex named 'Mingyue District,' where the Limit Field House was located.

"Sir, this is Mingyue District. Please do not approach."

At the entrance stood a line of six soldiers in full uniform, armed with live ammunition. Judging by their attire, it was clear they belonged to the military system, not the police. One soldier barked at Luo Feng, "Sir, please step back. If you cross the yellow line, we have the right to shoot you on sight!"

"Just as the rumors say," Luo Feng mused inwardly.

Mingyue District was the main base of operations for the Limit Martial Arts School in Yangzhou City!

Not only was the Limit Field House situated here, but this area also served as the residence for the families of the martial artists under the school's banner.

"The whispers say that everyone living inside is either a martial artist or their family! Not even the police are permitted to enter without authorization," Luo Feng thought in awe.

"Gentlemen," Luo Feng said, standing at the gate. "I am Luo Feng, a senior student of the Limit Martial Arts School. I am here today to undergo the assessment to become a Provisional Martial Artist." The Field House conducted these assessments on the first of every month.

"Oh?"

An elderly man with streaked white hair emerged from the guards' resting station beside the complex, holding a handheld computer. "Young man, you've arrived quite early—before 8 a.m. To be taking the Provisional Martial Artist assessment at your age shows boundless potential. Yes, let me inspect your ID card and your senior student credential."

Luo Feng handed over both identification documents.

"Beep!"

The ID and the senior student credential were swiped across the handheld computer. Information immediately flashed across the screen.

"Eighteen years old?" The white-haired elder looked at Luo Feng with surprise, then smiled warmly. "Eighteen, and you dare to attempt the Provisional Martial Artist assessment. Excellent. I hope you succeed today."

"Thank you, sir," Luo Feng replied.

"Let him through," the elder waved his hand.

Immediately, the complex's electric gate slid open, and a soldier holding an assault rifle stepped forward to escort Luo Feng. "Sir, I will guide you to the Limit Field House. Please do not wander around once inside the complex! You only have clearance for the Field House itself; the martial artist family residences are off-limits. Should you violate the rules, even if I don't act, our brothers patrolling the grounds will." The soldier gave Luo Feng a slight grin as he spoke.

"Understood," Luo Feng nodded with a smile, inwardly struck by the implications.

The State and the Limit Martial Arts School truly had a cooperative relationship. At least in the core areas of the school, security was paramount.

"Wow, these are all detached villas," Luo Feng observed. Apart from the towering Limit Field House in the center of the complex, the rest of the area was filled with neatly arranged detached villas, interspersed with rockeries, ponds, and lawns.

××××××

In the center of Mingyue District, inside the Limit Field House, the soldier returned Luo Feng to the main lobby and then departed.

"Sir, are you here for the Provisional Martial Artist assessment?" A sweet-faced young woman asked with a gentle smile in the lobby. "Sir, please take a seat over there. The assessment with everyone else will begin promptly at ten o'clock this morning."

Luo Feng nodded and walked toward the side of the lobby, where a small bar was set up, attended by a waiter and a bartender.

"Hmm?" Luo Feng glanced around and saw three people already seated in the lounge area. Two were conversing animatedly, while the third sat silently on a separate sofa.

"Look at those villas over there—that's the perk for joining the Limit Martial Arts School," one young man dressed in white exclaimed excitedly. "Once you become a martial artist and join the school, you get one assigned to you for free! And you get to live here for the rest of your career... Tsk, tsk, look at this environment, so comfortable."

"A martial artist district is naturally different from the ordinary complexes outside. Look, a newcomer has arrived," one of the three noted. They all saw Luo Feng. He offered them a slight nod and took a seat on a nearby sofa. Since they were strangers, no conversation ensued.

As time passed, three more individuals arrived. Luo Feng didn't recognize them either, but they all appeared older, likely over thirty, perhaps even hitting forty.

"Ha, Luo Feng!" a loud voice boomed.

Luo Feng was startled and turned to see a lean man with a hideous scar across his face approaching. "You're here for the Provisional Martial Artist assessment too?"

"Brother Yang?" Luo Feng quickly stood up to meet him.

"It’s embarrassing, really. I tested last month. Unfortunately—my speed test only hit 24.9 meters per second. Just a hair shy of passing!" Yang Wu said ruefully. In fact, Yang Wu had already met the requirements for punch force and nerve reaction speed; only his speed was his weak point. However, Yang Wu's speed had gradually improved this year, and the difference between 24.9m and 25m was negligible; a slight boost in temporary condition could easily push him over the mark.

"I'm sure you'll pass this time, Brother Yang," Luo Feng smiled.

"This guy surnamed Yang has tested several times and never passed. I bet this time is also doubtful," a booming voice cut in from nearby.

Luo Feng looked over at the speaker—a burly man with a thick, bushy beard. Yang Wu immediately glared back. "You, surnamed Tong, who are you to talk? Haven't you failed twice yourself? I think you’ll need another two or three years of hard training for your nerve reaction speed."

"Quiet down," a cold reprimand echoed from the center of the lobby.

Instantly, all eight people present turned to look. A middle-aged man in loose-fitting training attire glanced at them. "Alright, follow me upstairs. We're starting the Provisional Martial Artist assessment immediately. Remember, keep your conduct orderly upstairs; the Yangzhou City Chief Instructor's old friend is visiting today, so don't cause trouble."

"Yes, sir," everyone responded respectfully, including the previously arrogant Tong and Yang Wu, as well as Luo Feng.

"The Chief Instructor's old friend?" Luo Feng began to speculate.

It was common knowledge that Yangzhou City had one Limit Field House and twelve branch Limit Martial Arts Schools. The head of each branch school was called an 'Instructor,' while the head of the main headquarters Field House was known as the 'Chief Instructor.'

Once inside the elevator, the man in the tracksuit pressed the button for '6.'

"Ding!" The elevator reached the sixth floor.

Whoosh!

The elevator doors opened to reveal a massive training hall filled with more than a dozen people. Among them, Luo Feng recognized one of the instructors, 'Jiang Nian.'

"They're here, stop chatting," said a middle-aged man with long, loose hair. The dozen or so people in the hall all turned their gaze toward Luo Feng and the other seven. Under the scrutiny of these individuals, Luo Feng and the others felt a tightening in their chests. They knew that outside of service staff, the only people usually present in the Field House were martial artists.

Therefore, these dozen-plus people were all martial artists! After all, this was the headquarters for the Limit Martial Arts School across all of Yangzhou City.

"Prepare for testing," the long-haired middle-aged man commanded.

Luo Feng had seen this man online; he was the head of the Limit Field House, the Chief Instructor of Yangzhou City, 'Wu Tong.'

"One by one, come forward and give me your ID cards first." The martial artist who had led the group of eight upstairs collected their IDs and presented them directly to Chief Instructor Wu Tong, smiling. "Chief, there's quite a crowd today—eight people!"

"Mm," Wu Tong casually took one ID card and swiped it across a device opened beside him.

Beep!

A crystal-clear, almost transparent screen popped up on the instrument, displaying extensive personal information.

"First, Tong Guan," the Chief Instructor stated flatly. "Proceed with the punch force test. It’s interesting that people from the military background come to my Limit Martial Arts School for assessment."

Luo Feng, standing nearby, couldn't help but let out a small smile. The Limit Martial Arts School was founded by the world's strongest entity, with schools spread across the globe. Their assessment carried immense credibility and high value. The results were recognized in every country and region worldwide. Even those from the military or practitioners from hereditary family lineages sought out the Limit Martial Arts School for testing.

"Test punch force," the Chief Instructor commanded.

"Yes, sir."

The burly man with the beard stepped forward immediately. His eyes snapped wide open, his left hand guarded his face, and his right fist swung in an arc before smashing into the massive punching target. The target barely trembled. The screen on the punch force tester immediately displayed the number—'986g.'

"Pass. Next, Luo Feng." The Chief Instructor casually swiped the second ID card over the instrument, glanced at the detailed identity record, and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Eh, eighteen years old? Old Jiang, this one is from your Yian District, isn't he? When did such a talented young man emerge?"

"Haha," Instructor Jiang Nian, standing nearby, let out a burst of triumphant laughter.

"Whether he has real ability remains to be seen," a very overweight elder among the dozen martial artists chuckled mockingly. "Perhaps he just came to see the sights and doesn't have much strength."

Instructor Jiang Nian shot him a look. "What, are you jealous? Your North Post area doesn't have talents like this, do they? Luo Feng, show them the strength of my Yian District students."

"Yes, Instructor," Luo Feng responded loudly, stepping forward and walking toward the punch force testing machine.