Chapter 1

In the year 2519, the 500th year of the New Era, the weather was abnormal, with unpredictable cold and warm spells across the globe.

In October, a cold front from Siberia, like a headless fly, instead of wreaking havoc in the north, rashly plunged into the southern regions of Han Tang, south of the Yangtze River.

A cold wind howled, and heavy snow fell, turning the south into the north, while the north basked in bright sunshine.

Year after year, migratory birds returning to the south were bewildered, thinking they had flown in the wrong direction.

*********

Donghai Province, Longmen County Second Middle School.

The mid-term exams had just ended, and instead of relaxing, the entire school became even more tense, as the final exams and the high school entrance exams were approaching.

Banners and slogans were posted everywhere on the trees and walls within the campus.

"Strive for excellence, and you will achieve great things, governing the family, the state, and the world!"

"Excel in martial arts, and you will live in a seaside villa!"

"Practicing martial arts is not the only choice, but it is the best choice!"

"Students who strive are heroes, those who slack off are scoundrels..."

The students in the school either hurried along or wore serious expressions.

Especially for the third-year junior high students, who were about to face the high school entrance exams, the mid-term exam results largely reflected their true abilities.

Whether they could pass the exams and enter a martial arts high school was crucial for them.

As the slogan said, practicing martial arts was now the best choice.

In the era of the revival of spiritual energy, people's physical characteristics had changed significantly.

A healthy 70-year-old man could lift 100 kilograms, and a well-trained elderly woman could run 100 meters in under 10 seconds.

In such an environment, a global martial arts craze began.

The strong figures that once existed only in novels and movies began to appear, and they were even more powerful.

A super-strong individual could defeat an entire army, destroy a warship, and largely replace modern weapons.

Countries around the world began a martial arms race, with super-strong individuals serving as the nation's deterrent force, representing the true strength of a country.

Over the past few hundred years, martial arts had spread to every corner of the globe, forming a complete training system.

Donghai Province, as a major province of the Eastern power Han Tang, had always placed great importance on martial arts. The transition from junior high to high school was the most important step in these students' lives.

Below junior high, due to their age, students were not fully developed and had not yet reached the age for serious martial arts training; they were only taught some basic knowledge.

In high school, they began to truly engage in martial arts.

The final exam results, which were also the high school entrance exam results, would determine which high school they would enter.

If they did not meet the admission standards, they could not enter a martial arts high school and would have to switch to cultural studies, becoming ordinary people.

Although not entering high school did not mean the end of one's life, it was almost the end. No one wanted to be an ordinary person. Everyone, like carp trying to leap through the Dragon Gate, worked hard to improve themselves within the limited time, hoping to enter a true martial arts high school.

********

In the last row of Class 2, Qin Haohan held his mid-term exam results, looking somewhat worried.

Junior high students' exams consisted of five subjects: cultural studies, lung capacity, 100-meter dash, punching power, and willpower.

Cultural studies covered world history and the current social structure.

Lung capacity measured the strength of the air exhaled in one breath.

The 100-meter dash measured speed within 100 meters, with different standards for boys and girls.

Punching power measured the strength of a punch.

Willpower was a special subject, tested by instruments to determine the strength of one's mental will.

Each subject was out of 100 points, with 60 being the passing score.

If the average score at the end of the term did not meet the passing line, they would have to say goodbye to martial arts high school.

Qin Haohan's results were: 60 in cultural studies, 23 in lung capacity, 35 in the 100-meter dash, 27 in punching power, and 70 in willpower.

His cultural studies score just met the passing line, but his three physical scores added up to only 85 points!

This data was too poor, far below the average classmate, and even below the standard of a normal person.

Lung capacity, in the pre-New Era, around 500 years ago, an adult male's lung capacity was about 3500. In the New Era, after the meteor shower changed the global environment and spiritual energy surged, the average adult's lung capacity exceeded 5000.

Qin Haohan's lung capacity score of 23, which was 2300, was completely abnormal, indicating a weak and possibly sickly body.

His 100-meter dash score of 35, with the current passing line for boys being 10 seconds, meant he was far below the standard. As a future martial artist, being slow was simply unacceptable.

His 35 points translated to a 100-meter time of 13 seconds, which was an average speed in the pre-New Era but was now considered very slow, even slower than some elderly women who danced in the square.

His punching power of 27 was even weaker, with the current passing line for boys being 200 kilograms, equivalent to a heavyweight boxer in the pre-New Era.

Qin Haohan's punching power was 77 kilograms, setting a new low for the school.

His willpower, the most important attribute for a martial artist, was 70, which was acceptable but not outstanding.

Total score: 215!

After seeing this score, Qin Haohan couldn't help but frown.

Below the results, there was a comment from the homeroom teacher.

"A bookworm who wants to be a strong person, but not a top student."

Mocking gazes from his classmates made Qin Haohan feel dizzy.

After the mid-term exams, there were a few days off. Qin Haohan didn't speak to anyone, lowered his head, and left the classroom and the school.

He didn't go home but walked along the street, gradually reaching the edge of Longmen County.

The city wall was over 100 meters high, protecting the people inside from the dangerous world outside.

Standing on the city wall, Qin Haohan clearly understood his problems.

Malnutrition, poor family conditions, and lack of medication made his path in martial arts increasingly difficult.

His initial enthusiasm for martial arts had gradually faded over time.

"Only a month left until the high school entrance exams, a turning point in life. Do I still have a chance?"

Looking at the dark ground below the city wall, he even had the impulse to jump down and end it all.

Unconsciously, he took a step forward.

A fierce gust of wind startled him.

"No! I can't give up! This is my last chance. I must fight, and my fate must be in my own hands!"

Although his mind had wandered for a moment, his will to practice martial arts was still strong, and he quickly regained his composure.

At that moment, his desire to practice martial arts suddenly surged!

This was his challenge to fate, his last struggle.

This was a special state that could not last long, but if his mental willpower were measured at that moment, it would definitely be 100!

He hurried to step back from the dangerous city wall, but suddenly, a white light appeared in the sky!

Something seemed to instantly invade his mind, leaving him no chance to dodge!

"What the hell...!"

Qin Haohan's vision blurred, and his feet slipped, nearly causing him to fall from the city wall.

At the same time, a voice sounded in his mind.

"Robot training system implanted... implantation successful."

"The host is in a dangerous situation... please extend your arms, keep your center of gravity close to the city wall, and let friction slow you down. Protect your vital areas, and before landing, kick the city wall with both feet to create an outward force. This will give you a 5% chance of survival..."

"Ah...!"

Qin Haohan screamed loudly as his body fell, but in the face of life and death, he instinctively followed the voice's instructions, sliding down the city wall!