In the outer district of the No. 14 Human Survival Base in Jiang City, a warm yellow light softly bathed the interior of a home, casting a cozy glow throughout. A family of four sat around the dining table, joyfully preparing to enjoy dinner together.
"Today is definitely worth celebrating—Shiji has officially become a Trainee Warrior! My dear daughter, you have to drink a few glasses with your father tonight," said Li Kaishan, a middle-aged man with graying hair. His face beamed with pride and joy as he sat proudly at the table.
Li Chuxi smiled gently, her voice soft and caring. "Dad, we have work tomorrow. Operating the defensive tower in the Eastern District is no small matter. I can't drink too much." Her tone carried both concern for her father and a strong sense of responsibility.
Beside her, her younger brother Li Shiji moved with practiced ease. With a flick of his thumb against the base of each bottle, four beer caps popped off with a crisp pop-pop. He handed two bottles to Li Chuxi and placed the other two in front of their father with a grin. "Come on, Sis. Just have a little with Dad. Two bottles won't knock you out."
He wore a simple white shirt and dark blue jeans, his figure tall and straight, exuding youthful energy. His handsome face and healthy skin radiated vitality, and his neatly cut short hair swayed slightly with his movements. In peaceful times, someone with his looks could've easily made a name for himself in the entertainment industry.
But this was an age of chaos, with fierce beasts rampaging across the world. Warriors enjoyed great respect, but also carried great burdens, often leaving the survival bases to hunt beasts in the danger zones. As the eldest daughter of the family, Li Chuxi had no talent in the Martial Way. Her heart was filled with frustration, but the reality was cruel—without talent, there was no path forward.
"How much force can you punch with now, Shiji?" Li Chuxi asked gently as she poured her father a drink.
Li Shiji's eyes lit up with pride. Tilting his head, he replied, "The minimum standard for a Trainee Warrior is a 1000-kilogram punch on the force tester. On my test, I hit 1398 kilograms! Sis, you always protected me when we were kids. Now I'm strong—I can protect you."
He flexed his fist, eyes full of determination.
Li Chuxi gasped. Even though she already knew the standards for warriors, hearing her brother's result firsthand was still shocking. He didn't look particularly bulky, yet within that frame was a force equal to a bear or tiger.
So this is the power of the Martial Way… It's hard to believe. He's really grown up, and so strong now. Li Chuxi shook her head with mixed emotions, pride and affection shining in her eyes. She poured herself a glass of beer and took a small sip.
"What are you all chatting about? Dinner time!" came their mother's voice from the kitchen. She brought over the final dish—a steaming beef hot pot—her face warm with a gentle smile. "Daughter, help light the stove."
Li Chuxi quickly stood, pulled out a lighter, and carefully lit the solid alcohol stove beneath the hot pot. With a snap, the flame whooshed to life and spread rapidly along the fuel. She was a bit slow pulling her hand back, and the flame licked her fingers.
In that instant, she felt as if a mysterious gate within her body had opened. A strange, warm current surged through her, and an odd sensation filled her mind—she felt a connection with the flame, as though, with just a thought, she could control the flickering fire. To her surprise, her skin had also become more resistant to heat. The place where the flame had touched felt merely warm—no sting, no pain.
"Zoning out while lighting the hot pot? Really?" her mother teased with a glare as she placed the pot steadily over the old-fashioned alcohol stove. "Alright, everyone, dig in! Let's see how Mom's cooking turned out today."
Li Chuxi sat back down slowly, her mind elsewhere. She kept recalling that strange moment—had she been hiding some kind of special gift all along? Could this talent be the key to helping her brother?
Their mother affectionately placed a large piece of beef into Li Shiji's bowl, pride shining in her eyes. "Eat more, Shiji, build that strength. You're the pride of our Li family now!"
"Mom, I'm already past the age where eating meat alone makes me stronger. If I want more power from food, it'd have to be beast meat," Li Shiji joked, but his happy smile showed he appreciated the gesture as he accepted the meat.
Li Kaishan clinked glasses with Li Chuxi and began speaking earnestly. "Shiji, becoming a Trainee Warrior is just the first step. Next comes Official Warrior, and then the even tougher Martial Master. The path of the Martial Way is long and arduous. You must stay the course if you want to go far."
Their mother added thoughtfully, "Once Shiji becomes an Official Warrior, we'll have even more to be proud of—and he'll get a monthly subsidy from the office."
Li Shiji nodded seriously, determination in his eyes.
Li Chuxi furrowed her brows and asked softly, "To become an Official Warrior… there's another test, right? You have to slay a fierce beast?"
In her understanding, true warriors were forged in real battle—on the edge of life and death. The gap between a Trainee and an Official Warrior wasn't just symbolic—it was carved by combat.
A flash of worry passed through Li Shiji's eyes, but he quickly masked it with calm resolve. "There's a test in a few days. I plan to take it."
Li Chuxi's frown deepened. "Isn't that a little rushed? Are you ready?"
Shiji shook his head, his eyes glowing. "I heard higher-ups from the Thunder Martial Hall will be watching this test. Rumor has it they're recruiting fresh blood—looking for seed-level talent. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I can't miss it."
At the mention of Thunder Martial Hall, Li Chuxi's brows lifted slightly. Of course she'd heard of them. One of the nation's three great martial halls, founded by Lei Hong—one of the world's top ten powerhouses. For countless warriors, entering Thunder Martial Hall was the gateway to success. Becoming a Martial Master—or even a Martial Grandmaster—would no longer be a distant dream.
But she also knew the harsh truth. The Official Warrior test was deadly. Each one claimed young lives on its brutal battlefield. Her parents fell silent, torn between pride and fear—wanting their son to grasp the opportunity but also fearing for his safety.
Li Shiji looked at them all with unwavering eyes. "Dad, Mom, Sis—I've made up my mind. I'm taking the test. I believe in myself—and in the work I've put in."
Li Chuxi met her brother's gaze, her tone firm. "I'll help you. No matter what challenges come, we'll face them together."
Shiji smiled warmly. "Thanks, Sis. With your support, I know I'll pass."
Li Chuxi clenched her fists in secret, silently vowing to herself. Perhaps he thought she was just offering comfort. After all, ordinary people and warriors lived in different worlds—Trainee Warriors could strike with over 1000kg of force, something a normal human couldn't even dream of.
But only she knew the truth. She meant what she said. She would use her newly awakened gift to help her brother pass this critical trial.
That night, back in her room, a system prompt sounded:
"Host has sustained long-term breathing. Cells have evolved once again. Acquired: Qi Control Lv1, Wind Manipulation Lv1!"
Li Chuxi froze.
I have a system? Even breathing can trigger evolution?
She sat on the edge of her bed and closed her eyes, trying to sense that mysterious power inside. With each deep breath, she could feel the air gently swirling around her body—as if it was responding to her.
Joy welled up in her heart. So this is my gift? Not only can I manipulate flames and resist heat… I can control wind, too?
A new hope took root inside her. She silently wished that this talent would blossom in time—becoming a powerful weapon to help her brother on his path through the Martial Way.
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