Chapter 3: Jiangnan City

The RR virus erupted and spread globally in record time, infecting every breathing creature—humans, birds, beasts alike1. By the time humanity realized its existence, it was already too late. The virus had a near 30% fatality rate, and in just three months, post-outbreak statistics revealed a staggering 2 billion lives lost globally, alongside countless animal deaths. Those months were a ​nightmarish ordeal1, leaving scientists around the world powerless.

Of the nearly 5 billion survivors, all naturally developed antibodies1. The world plunged into endless grief after the nightmare. Luo Feng recounted, "During this period, the 5 billion survivors discovered their bodies had become stronger—strength, speed, cellular activity, and skin resilience all doubled! Even ordinary people could easily break world records in weightlifting and sprinting."

But disaster struck. Humanity, having lived in comfort, saw their physical capabilities surge. Meanwhile, mutated "monsters" born from RR-infected beasts, now enhanced by natural selection, became far more formidable than humans. Some even gained intelligence1.

In September 2015, the oceans teemed with life-forms launching attacks, and the transformed "monsters" began besieging human habitats. It was a time of ​bloodshed and madness1. Humanity was shocked to find their once-proud firearms only worked on low-level monsters. The more dangerous avian and terrestrial beasts shrugged off bullets and artillery fire, their scales impenetrable even by missiles.

When nuclear bombs were deployed, humans were horrified to discover the truth: only the core blast zones killed large numbers of monsters, while radiation spawned even more terrifying creatures. The most infamous was the "Blood Demon Skywolf," a flying beast that slaughtered over a million humans. Humanity realized nuclear radiation could induce mutations, creating abominations of nightmare proportions1.

Among the monsters, terrifying entities emerged, and among humans, heroes arose. The Blood Demon Skywolf was ultimately severely wounded and driven away by a human superhero named "Thor," the second-ranked warrior globally1. These heroes saved countless civilians, aiding the military in resisting the monster hordes and inspiring countless heroic tales.

Scientist Cro De Senne, using monster carcasses and "Blue Gold" metal discovered on the moon, invented an alloy harder than diamond—Cro Alloy. This gave human warriors fearsome weapons to slash through monster hides and scales, ending the need for hand-to-hand combat1.

Luo Feng clearly remembered this part of history from the books. During the war, countless cities were destroyed. China and India, both with large numbers of superhumans, along with the USA, EU, and Russia, led in technology. The oceans, teeming with monsters, doomed nearly every island nation to extinction1.

By now, only five nations—China, India, the USA, the EU, and Russia—could defend themselves. The rest lay in ruins. In a critical moment, the five powers formed the ​Earth Alliance, which helped establish numerous human bases worldwide.

The war between humans and monsters, which began in September 2015, finally ended in March 2021 after the successful deployment of ultra-high-frequency laser cannons, which killed over ten S-class and two SS-class monsters1. Luo Feng sighed at the memory. The five-and-a-half-year war was the most terrifying in human history, claiming nearly 1 billion lives. Only the five nations retained their systems, while survivors from other countries lived together in mixed human bases.

Even now, humanity held the advantage, but the oceans remained the monsters' dominion. "From 2013 to 2021, these eight years marked the Great Nirvana Period in human history," Luo Feng said, sitting on the sofa. The clock on the wall chimed five times, signaling 5 PM. "The Great Nirvana Period," his brother Luo Hua sighed, "I can hardly imagine that before this period, there were over 200 countries and regions globally. At that time, the population was only 7 billion. Some small countries were so tiny that a single powerful monster could have wiped them out."

Luo Feng nodded. "Now, the world consists of five major powers and 23 cities." The Earth had five nations—China, India, the USA, the EU, and Russia—and 23 human bases formed in South America, Africa, and elsewhere, known as the 23 cities! China had six major bases, now the six cities. Luo Feng's home was in ​Yangzhou City, one of the eight guardian cities of Jiangnan City, in the Yian District.

Jiangnan City had a population of nearly 200 million, while Yangzhou City, one of its eight guardian cities, had over 10 million. The Jiangnan City base was originally formed by migrants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, with some from Anhui as well1.

"Time flies," Luo Hua said, glancing at the clock. "It's already 2056 AD, over 30 years since the Great Nirvana Period. Now, going to martial arts academies is almost mandatory for everyone. Society is much stronger than it was 30 years ago."

Luo Feng nodded. Over the past three decades, the number of human warriors had indeed increased, and technology had advanced. However, many terrifying monsters had also emerged.

...

The door clicked open, and a middle-aged couple walked in. The man, drenched in sweat and paint stains, looked weary, while the shorter woman carried a basket filled with vegetables and meat.

"Dad, Mom," Luo Feng immediately stood up. The couple were his parents: Luo Hongguo and Gong Xinlan.

"Hehe! Feng, keep studying. Don't mind me," Luo Hongguo said with a smile, knowing that his son's college entrance exams were of utmost importance.

Glancing at a large plastic cup of iced water on the table, Luo Hongguo felt a warmth in his heart. Every time his son returned, the water was always prepared. After a long day's work, he picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp, sighing contentedly.

"Go take a shower; you're drenched in sweat," Gong Xinlan said with a laugh.

"Haha!" Luo Hongguo chuckled, heading to the cramped but long-used "bathroom" with his change of clothes.

Gong Xinlan looked at her two sons: "Feng, Hua, tonight Mom is making braised pork!"

"My favorite!" Luo Hua shouted excitedly.

Luo Feng couldn't help but smile, watching his mother tie on an apron to cook dinner. He knew she always bought groceries in the evening when prices were lower, even though the produce wasn't as fresh as in the morning. Glancing at the bathroom again, he thought to himself, "I must earn the 'Warrior title' as quickly as possible. Then, Mom won't have to shop in the afternoon, and Dad won't have to do those exhausting renovation jobs."

In his heart,

Luo Feng longed to let his parents rest and enjoy the sunshine and good food in peace.

"Dad!" Luo Hongguo called out after his shower, "There's something I want to talk to you about."

"What is it?" Luo Feng looked at his father.

Luo Hongguo smiled slightly, "I never asked you, but what are your plans after high school? Can you tell me?" He rarely discussed such matters with his son, not wanting to pressure him, knowing how hard Luo Feng had always worked and how well he had done.

"Dad, here's what I'm thinking," Luo Feng said directly. "With my academic scores, I believe getting into ​Jiangnan's First Military Academy shouldn't be too difficult. As a 'Senior Student' of the martial arts academy, I'll be trained as an officer there. You and Mom can move into a military family housing complex."

Becoming a soldier had its tiers. While China did recruit soldiers, ordinary soldiers didn't have much welfare. However, being a young "Senior Student" of the martial arts academy and getting into the First Military Academy would mean being "talented in both literature and martial arts." The state would definitely prioritize his training and allocate a house in the military family housing complex, which was a hundred times better than their current affordable housing.

"What if I don't get into the First Military Academy?" Luo Hongguo asked, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"There are two top military academies in Jiangnan City. Even if I don't do well on the college entrance exam and miss the first one, getting into the second academy is definitely manageable," Luo Feng said confidently. He usually scored about 50 points above the college entrance threshold, and the second academy only required meeting the threshold.

In today's college entrance system, there were no "second chances"—only a single threshold dividing undergraduates from vocational students.

"Even at the second academy, being a 'Senior Student' of the martial arts academy would still mean being trained as an officer, with only slightly less favorable treatment," Luo Feng said with a smile.

Only 2 out of 10 people could get into an undergraduate program. But among high school students, only 1 in a thousand could earn the "Senior Student" title at the martial arts academy.

"Mhm! As long as you're confident, that's what matters. Just don't put too much pressure on yourself. As long as we have a stable life, that's enough," Luo Hongguo nodded. "You always put too much pressure on yourself."

"It's nothing," Luo Feng chuckled, "I'm young! I need to have some drive."

Though he said this, Luo Feng thought to himself, "Mom, Dad, and Hua, once the college entrance exams are over, you'll be able to live a good life soon. Once I earn the 'Warrior title,' you won't have to do those hard labor jobs anymore."

"Hurry up and set the table; dinner is ready!" Gong Xinlan called out cheerfully.

"Alright!" Luo Hongguo stood up with a smile and went to get the utensils.

"The green vegetables smell amazing!" Luo Feng sniffed by the pot, helping to carry the bowls.

"I smell braised pork! Wow..." His younger brother Luo Hua exclaimed excitedly, wheeling his chair closer to the dining table.

The family of four was filled with joy.