Ling Cage, pick up Lu Mingfei at the start.

"Wake up, Lu Mingfei."

"Wake up!"

A muffled sound pierced through his sleep. Lu Mingfei waved his hand impatiently, too lazy to even open his eyes, and mumbled, "What's wrong... what's the rush..."

He completely forgot Bai Yuekui and Maiduo's instructions from yesterday.

Unexpectedly, the other party was quite rude, patting his cheeks lightly twice with two cool hands, seemingly worried about damaging his freshly made-up face, before twisting his ears instead.

"Ouch! It hurts!"

Now Lu Mingfei was fully awake. He covered his reddened ears and saw the person standing in front of the bed—Ulan Maiduo looked angry, and next to her was Xia Dou, who was laughing like a little goose.

broken!

Memories flooded back. Today was training day! They'd agreed on it yesterday, but he hadn't really taken it seriously.

It's all because he played games at the arcade until late last night, which made him dream of that cheap, smoky internet cafe. Subconsciously, he thought it was the weekend... But he's already transmigrated, and he can't just coast along anymore.

"It's Maiduo, I'm so sorry!" Lu Mingfei quickly forced an awkward smile, trying to shift the blame. "I was too engrossed in playing games with Xia Dou and the others yesterday, my mind is still foggy."

"Then how come Xia Dou can get up on time?" Mai Duo put her hands on her hips, clearly not buying it. "In the end, it's because she didn't take it seriously."

Only then did Lu Mingfei notice the ancient-looking spear slung across Mai Duo's back. The spear was dark, with a faint, almost imperceptible, cold glint, as if it had been stained with countless bloody battles, exuding a chilling aura.

He jolted awake, fully sober, and hurriedly explained, "Please calm down, heroine! I... I just haven't adjusted yet! I'm used to peaceful days, and it's only been a few days! I'll pack right away and leave immediately!"

"Heroine?" This title from old-world novels made Mai Duo pause for a moment, her anger lessening slightly, and she became a little embarrassed.

She thought about it and realized that Lu Mingfei had a point; someone from a peaceful world did indeed need time to adapt. Her tone softened: "Then... hurry up."

Although Lu Mingfei was still slow in his movements, Mai Duo didn't urge him this time, but just held the gun and waited patiently.

Xia Dou, standing to the side, couldn't wait any longer. She had a deep-seated fear of Instructor Wulan Aodeng. Although Uncle Aodeng was usually very kind, he was absolutely impartial on the training field, and being late would inevitably mean terrible extra training.

"Road God, hurry up!"

She stamped her foot anxiously, "If we dawdle any longer, Instructor Ao Deng will get angry, and we'll all be in trouble!"

Lu Mingfei finally got ready and, upon hearing the new title "God Lu," couldn't help but feel a little smug—something he had earned through his own abilities.

The three hurried to the training ground.

"'Road God'? What's that all about?" Maido asked curiously on the road. The title was only created yesterday and hadn't spread yet.

"That's how it is..." Xia Dou immediately perked up and vividly recounted how Lu Mingfei had dominated the "Play and Read for Fun" forum yesterday, even defeating Boss Bai in the end, her tone full of admiration.

Maido wasn't particularly interested in the game itself, but when she heard that Lu Mingfei had actually defeated Boss Bai, whom she considered like a god, she couldn't help but look at him with new respect.

Being able to win in one of Boss Bai's strongest areas, the title of "Road God" is well-deserved.

When the three arrived at the training ground, there were already quite a few people standing there in neat rows.

Ulan Aodeng watched the three people walking over on time, chatting and laughing, especially the new kid. He felt a surge of anger and his first impression of Lu Mingfei dropped significantly.

Despite the drastic change in Lu Mingfei's appearance, the "misfortune" that emanated from his bones still made him recognize him at a glance.

His gaze swept back and forth between Lu Mingfei and his daughter. Although it seemed like they were just ordinary friends joking around... But when he thought about how that kid from the outside settlement, "Po Kong," had come to Longgu Village to learn how to advance to the Returning Origin stage, and then fell in love with Belikov's daughter as soon as he saw her, spending all his time around her and trying to make her happy, a sense of crisis unique to an old father welled up inside him.

This kid does look decent enough... Wulan Aodeng stared at Lu Mingfei with hostility. If he dares to make a move on my precious daughter, I'll break his legs!

As Lu Mingfei was walking towards the group, he suddenly shivered. A strange chill ran up his spine to the back of his head, as if he were being watched by some ferocious beast.

He subconsciously looked in the direction he sensed, only to see Ulan Aodeng looking at Maiduo with a "kind" expression.

Is it just my imagination? Lu Mingfei scratched his head, somewhat puzzled.

"Dad!" Maido ran happily to her father, and the two hugged each other affectionately.

"Hey! Sweetie!"

"Dad, it's like this..." Maiduo whispered to her father, explaining why she was late.

Ulan Aodeng was a complete doting father to his daughter. After hearing the explanation, his anger subsided considerably, and when he looked at Lu Mingfei again, his eyes even held a hint of sympathy. Sigh, what an unlucky kid, falling all alone from a peaceful world into this godforsaken place…

Sympathy is one thing, but training must not be compromised. In Ulan Aodeng's view, the more sheltered a seedling is, the more rigorous the training it needs, otherwise it simply cannot survive in this apocalyptic world.

He made up his mind to give Lu Mingfei "special attention".

Lu Mingfei was signaled to rejoin the team. He learned that Mai Duo and Xia Dou, as "Awakeners," had their own specialized training courses and were not with them. This made Lu Mingfei even more curious and eager to learn about the so-called "Source Awakening."

"God of the Road!"

A few familiar greetings came from behind him. Lu Mingfei looked over and saw the guys he had played games with yesterday.

He immediately felt a sense of familiarity and walked towards them.

"Road God, wanna play a couple of games after training?"

Lu Mingfei nodded with a smile. The repeated calls of "God Lu" filled him with joy.

In the original world, he was the most inconspicuous and often overlooked "loser" in the class. Apart from Chen Wenwen occasionally saying a few words to him, he had almost no presence.

This feeling of being recognized and admired is both unfamiliar and intoxicating. Oh, and there's also that old nemesis, Su Xiaoqiang.

"What are you whispering about! Everyone, line up and get ready for training!" Ulan Aodeng's booming command interrupted his reverie. The ranks quickly and neatly formed.

Lu Mingfei stood there blankly—he had been temporarily inserted, and there was no place for him at all.

Ulan Aodeng frowned and casually arranged him in the far left of the first row, making him stand out in his own column.

"Attention everyone! Run around the lake—begin!"

Lu Mingfei started running with the team, initially finding it novel. The lake beside the training field shimmered in the morning light, a beautiful sight.

But after running for an unknown amount of time, the instructor still showed no sign of stopping. Lu Mingfei's breathing became increasingly heavy, his legs felt like lead, and before he knew it, he had fallen to the very back of the group, feeling as if he was about to faint.

"Stop! Rest for five minutes and adjust your breathing!"

Seeing Lu Mingfei's seemingly lifeless appearance, Wulan Aodeng called for a stop. He was somewhat surprised; this kid looked frail, yet he had managed to keep up and not fall behind. Every time he thought Lu Mingfei was about to collapse, he gritted his teeth and caught up again, and he didn't know what kept him going.

Lu Mingfei himself didn't understand. Every time he felt he was about to reach his limit, the thought of being caught by the Devouring Beast, being torn apart or having his life essence drained, turning him into a cold, inhuman, ghostly mess, filled him with a terrifying scene.

A fear emanating from the depths of his soul would generate a faint strength, supporting him to take the next step.

The five-minute break passed in the blink of an eye.

Perhaps everyone had already adapted to this training intensity, but Lu Mingfei was the only newcomer. While others were only slightly out of breath, Lu Mingfei was like a drowning person who had just been pulled ashore, collapsing on the ground and gasping for air. He was the only one on the field who was completely exhausted.

"Get into a horse stance!" Instructor Ulan's command rang out again.

Everyone quickly got into position. Lu Mingfei hadn't learned how, so he could only clumsily imitate others, spreading his feet apart and raising his fists clenched and level.

A few minutes later, his legs began to tremble uncontrollably, and this time, the mysterious power did not appear.

"A well-practiced horse stance makes one look much older!"

"Sit firmly in the horse stance, and your resolve to return to the origin will remain unshaken!"

As Ulan Aodeng patrolled, he shouted slogans loudly. When he reached Lu Mingfei from behind, he noticed the boy was trembling like a leaf, so he gently nudged him in the back of the knee—

"Thump!"

Lu Mingfei lost his balance and fell face-first into the mud.

"If you want to become an Awakened One as soon as possible, you need to lay a solid foundation!" Ulan Aodeng looked around at everyone, his voice stern, then his gaze fell on Lu Mingfei, who was scrambling to his feet, and he mercilessly added, "I can squat in the toilet more steadily than you!"

A suppressed chuckle rippled through the crowd. Lu Mingfei's face instantly flushed crimson.

"Instructor... I, I used the toilet!" he tried to save face.

"Toilet? That thing is unhealthy! Take it down when you get back!" Ulan Aodeng roared angrily.

The three-hour training session finally came to an end. What might have been just a warm-up for others felt like a grueling workout for Lu Mingfei.

He felt like all the bones in his body had fallen apart, and he collapsed to the ground, not wanting to move a single finger.

A few of his gaming buddies came over to invite him to play, but he waved his hand listlessly: "Maybe next time... I really can't..."

At this moment, Maiduo and Xiadou also finished their exclusive training and returned, accompanied by someone—Suixing.

The two girls couldn't help but giggle when they saw Lu Mingfei sprawled in the dust, looking completely disheveled.

"Lu Mingfei, what happened to you?" Xia Dou bent down, blinked her big eyes, and looked at him curiously.

"Him? His physical condition is too poor. We've already reduced the intensity today." Ulan Aodeng laughed heartily. In front of his daughter, he instantly transformed from a tough instructor back into a loving father.

What?! This is called reducing the intensity?! Lu Mingfei cried out inwardly, feeling a wave of despair as he thought about how he had fought so hard to persevere.

The training ahead will only be more terrifying, and a familiar urge to give up surges into my mind—we've been giving up for over a decade anyway, so what difference does it make where we give up?

But he still struggled to his feet. He hadn't yet developed a thick skin under the watchful eyes of everyone.

As soon as he steadied himself, he met Sui Xing's cold gaze.

Holy crap, what's up with this cool girl?

In Lu Mingfei's mind, Sui Xing was a truly ruthless person, a man of few words but deadly arrows. When he saved him, his arrows never missed, and he was like the Grim Reaper calling his name in front of the Devouring Beast.

"Have you rested enough?" Sui Xing asked, her voice flat, her gaze carrying a hint of disdain. Perhaps it was because he was struggling even with basic training, but considering his background, the disdain was restrained. "If you're rested enough, come with me."

No way? Again?! Lu Mingfei was almost in despair. All he wanted to do now was go back to that hard bed and completely give up. Even being bossed around at his aunt's house was better than suffering here.

However, the moment this thought arose, a strange anger suddenly surged from the bottom of his heart.

He recalled the days when he lived as a dependent at his uncle's house, receiving living expenses from his parents, yet feeling like a superfluous shadow... He had also fantasized about becoming a superhero, like Iron Man, handsome, rich, and dashing...

But when he thought of Chen Wenwen, he thought, forget it. All he needed was a handsome and rich man. He, Lu Mingfei, was all about pure love.

Lu Mingfei took a deep breath and straightened up, his body aching. This was no longer the world he knew; there was no turning back. He had to survive on his own to have any chance of finding a way back.

"Where to?" he asked.

"Fire," Shattered Star replied.