Swallowed Star Chapter 1 — Luo Feng
Translator: Translation Nation
Editor: Translation Nation
The vast blue sky resembled a massive emerald gem, and the blazing midsummer sun dangled like a colossal fireball atop this enormous jewel. From the sun's location, anyone could tell it was approximately 3 PM.
Zhi-An region's 3rd high school.
[DING DING DING]
The resounding bell echoed across the whole campus, instantly sparking uproar and excitement everywhere. Students surged out from every building, clustering together with laughter as they streamed toward the school entrance.
"Luo Feng brother! Luo Feng brother*!" a booming voice called out.
*This brother is used in respect (not blood related kind)
"Feng, someone's calling you"
Amid the crowd of students, a young man clutching a bookmark moved alongside them. Dressed in a standard blue tracksuit, he stood about 175 cm tall and appeared somewhat lean. At that moment, he turned his head uncertainly. The caller was a towering figure nearly 190 cm high, with shoulders like a tiger's and a waist like a bear's. His biceps bulged impressively and shockingly.
"Who are you?" Luo Feng gazed at the approaching man hesitantly, unable to place him.
These two formed a stark contrast: one built like a grizzly bear, the other "Luo Feng Brother" an ordinary fellow.
And in height…
The gap was enormous. Yet this broad-shouldered, thick-waisted fellow acted with great respect. He eyed the "Luo Feng Brother" he revered cautiously.
"The rumors check out. Luo Feng brother really is approachable."
"Luo Feng brother, I… I need your help with something."
"With what?" Luo Feng smiled.
"During fist training, my punches felt off somehow. Could brother spare some time to offer pointers?"
The muscular man pressed on,
"The dojo instructor says with my power, I ought to unleash punches over 50% strength. But I never hit that mark."
The muscular man gazed at Luo Feng hopefully.
"Oh, got it." Luo Feng paused briefly, then nodded.
"Fine, meet me at the dojo this Friday at noon."
"Thank you, brother. Thank you!" The muscular man thanked him profusely.
Luo Feng chuckled lightly and departed with his buddies.
Once Luo Feng was gone, the muscular man's face lit up with joy. He balled his fist, veins popping on his bicep, and yelled in thrill:
"YES!"
"Wow! Luo Feng brother agreed just like that?!" A school-uniformed boy gasped.
"Rumors don't lie; Luo Feng brother's super approachable and kind." The muscular man beamed.
"But wait… in our 3rd high school*, among 5000 students, just three hold the "Martial Arts Elite Student" title. The other two, 'Zhang Hao Bai' and 'Liu Ting', act all arrogant and won't guide us." The uniformed boy wondered aloud.
"Yet Luo Feng brother's so nice?"
*3rd is just the number of the high school, not their ranking or any of the sort.
Right now, across the globe in every nation's areas, nearly all high schoolers get basic schooling while joining martial arts dojos to awaken the latent power in every person.
Zhi-An region's 3rd high school had three grades and about 5000 students.
Most were dojo novices! Only a tiny few reached "intermediate member" level. And merely three earned "Elite member" status!
"Seeing beats hearing. Heh heh. Notice? Luo Feng brother stands apart from those other two." The muscular man smirked.
"Zhang Hao Bai and Liu Ting come from rich families. Since childhood, their folks poured huge sums into their upbringing and training, making them strong. Luo Feng's nothing like that!"
The uniformed boy nodded. "I heard Luo Feng brother's from an average family too. Lives in low-rent housing."
"Right, Luo Feng brother reached this level through sheer hard grind. Pure fist-and-feet training. Worlds away from Zhang Hao Bai and Liu Ting."
The muscular man gripped his fist tightly and inhaled deeply. "My aim is Luo Feng brother. Before college graduation, in these four years, I'll pass the dojo exam and claim "Elite member" rank!"
……
Meanwhile, the Luo Feng brother in question trailed the exiting crowd toward the third gate alongside another tracksuit-clad boy.
"Feng, that big lug asking for advice was singing your praises after you left." The tracksuit boy grinned.
"Saying what a great guy you are, so easygoing."
Luo Feng chuckled. "Jealous, Wei Wen?"
"Of you?" Wei Wen rubbed his nose, laughing.
"In your dreams. I just find it funny—the lug has no clue about the real 'Luo Feng Brother.' But I recall crystal clear… that dojo tourney stage, the 'Luo Feng Brother' he idolizes took on three foes in a row. Those three high schoolers couldn't even stand back up."
Luo Feng laughed.
That fight marked his breakthrough to fame.
Luo Feng slapped Wei Wen's shoulder. "Heading home."
Wei Wen's shoulder jolted dramatically. "Feng, easy! That tap nearly broke my shoulder!"
"Same old!"
Wei Wen was Luo Feng's childhood buddy, inseparable since youth. Not blood brothers, but the bond ran deep.
From elementary to middle to high school.
Reflecting back, their friendship was rock-solid.
"Eh?"
Wei Wen suddenly peered ahead.
"Feng, check it—your crush!"
"Hm?" Luo Feng looked too, spotting amid the throng the ponytail girl in jeans and white polo shirt.
Luo Feng's heart raced.
A name flashed through his mind—Xu Xin!
Few knew Luo Feng's crush on Xu Xin, but loyal bro Wei Wen had long been aware.
In freshman year, Luo Feng and Xu Xin shared a grade. First sight of her struck him like a burst of light.
In class, seated at the back, Luo Feng couldn't help but gaze at Xu Xin's figure. He watched quietly.
Simply viewing Xu Xin's back fulfilled him.
Classes reshuffled sophomore year, splitting them apart. Still, spotting Xu Xin always captivated Luo Feng's gaze.
"Exams loom just one month away." Luo Feng murmured inwardly. "No guts or time for love before. Final month, everyone crams wildly, Xu Xin focuses on self-improvement. Romance would distract her. Same for me—can't afford to lose focus, or lifelong regret awaits."
"Fine, let this crush become a memory."
Romance…
Bittersweet. The bloom never arrived, already faded.
Luo Feng yearned to bury it deep in his heart silently.
"You missed your shot to chase her. Now only a month remains." Wei Wen shook his head. "You might never see her again. Regret will hit too late later."
"Wei Wen," Luo Feng shook his head. "Drop it. Until I earn "Fighter" status, no romance distractions."
"Bro, that's harsh!"
Wei Wen thumbs-upped. "'Fighter'? In our 5000-student school, zero have reached it. You claim no romance till 'Fighter'? Impressive, truly impressive!"
"Hm?" Luo Feng eyed a flashy group of five beyond the gate. "Zhang Hao Bai?"
Outside the gate, five standout students drew eyes, led by a 180 cm+ teen in white T-shirt, white slacks, boasting massive pecs. His four followers, burly or scarred, looked equally intimidating. That white-shirted youth from Zhi-An's 3rd High was one of three "Elite" title holders—Zhang Hao Bai.
"Luo Feng," Zhang Hao Bai sneered.
Ask Zhang Hao Bai his most despised person in school, and Luo Feng tops the list!
Of the three "Elite" holders, one girl left two boys competing for glory!
Zhang Hao Bai hailed from wealth; Luo Feng scraped by in cheap rentals.
Academics—Luo Feng crushed Zhang Hao Bai!
Strength—Both "Elite", but Luo Feng once smashed three high schoolers solo, leaving them down. Including Zhang Hao Bai, who lost a tooth!
Family wealth? Zhang Hao Bai wins!
Superior background, yet Luo Feng outshone in scores and power. School praise for Zhang Hao Bai often drew Luo Feng comparisons!
Hatred!
Zhang Hao Bai's grudge against Luo Feng burned fierce.
"Move out," Zhang Hao Bai licked his aching tooth faintly. That beating filled his mouth with blood, costing a tooth.
"This Zhang Hao Bai's tamed since the dojo thrashing. Won't bother you anymore." Wei Wen told Luo Feng, watching the five recede.
Zhang Hao Bai?
Luo Feng spared him no thought.
"Better fewer troubles than more," Luo Feng remarked, strolling home with Wei Wen.
En route home.
[drip, drip] Street horns blared. Today's cars ran on electricity, sparing the streets any fuel stench.
"Wei Wen, exam's one month off. Let's give it our all this month." Luo Feng and Wei Wen strode the sidewalk.
"Dojo there for light recovery drills daily, but focus mainly on academics. Twelve years led to this test."
"Yeah, twelve years of studies. This decides our future." Wei Wen sighed too. "Exams, exams—like ten thousand horses jammed on a single bridge*"
*AKA pain in the neck
"Exactly." Luo Feng nodded.
Family wasn't well-off, despite "Elite" status. Even poor grades guaranteed "Elite Bodyguard" work at 20-30k yearly. But settle for guarding? Not Luo Feng.
……
Meanwhile, a kilometer above Zhi-An region.
A massive black-crowned golden eagle soared over the city. Twenty meters long, akin to a fighter plane, its feathers gleamed with icy metallic sheen; head plumes dark as a crown. Golden talons gleamed.
Piercing blue eyes scanned the human city below, harboring a trace of murderous intent.
"BOOM!"
Already hurtling at high speed, the black-crowned golden eagle surged faster, shattering the sound barrier instantly for terrifying velocity. Simultaneously, a shrill screech burst from its beak. The visible shockwave blasted downward swiftly.
At Zhi-An region's Zi-Tian road intersection, Luo Feng and Wei Wen awaited the red light.
Abruptly—
[AHN]
A shrill wail pierced the air, sharper than thunder. Thunder booms grandly; this stabbed the ears. Luo Feng's eardrums twinged, brow furrowing in discomfort. Streetgoers clutched their ears.
"Bird cry." Luo Feng said, glancing skyward.
"Hm?" Luo Feng startled.
Amid the shriek's force, nearby skyscraper glass groaned [KA~~~ KA~~~].
Glass shattered wide, dozens of shards plummeting from heights. Some hit walkways, people, or streetlamps.
[PAI!] [PENG!] [PIPA (crackling noises)!] ……
Explosions rang out briefly.
One shard struck a lamppost beside Luo Feng.
"Wah!" Wei Wen leaped back two steps, evading glass bits.
Another fragment exploded on ground, a knife-like piece hurtling at Luo Feng.
"Hm?" Luo Feng caught it peripherally.
No retreat. He stood steady. In a flash, his right hand struck like lightning, snatching the incoming glass.
The glass mirrored Luo Feng's face. He flicked it twice, then tossed it casually. Like a dart, it sailed into a distant bin's mouth precisely.
Streetside cars recovered quickly from the chaos. Pedestrians buzzed in talk. Some unlucky got hurt, most unscathed.
"What power." Luo Feng eyed the heavens.
"One screech packs such force. Must be a mighty beast. Wei Wen, you know beasts—any idea what it was?"
Wei Wen narrowed his eyes; excitement gleamed in the gap.
"Feng, defense nets guard 500m overhead. This beast flew higher. From that range, its cry still wreaked havoc. Normal beasts fear howling over cities!"
"Such might and boldness, plus the pitch… I'd bet it's a dreaded "black crowned eagle!" Wei Wen stated gravely.
"Black crowned eagle?" Luo Feng's eyes sharpened.
He knew the notorious black crowned eagle well.
"Among eagle monsters, black crowned ranks third." Wei Wen's gaze burned.
"Adult spans 21 meters, wingspan 36 meters, top speed 3.9 Mach—3.9 times sound speed. At 340 m/s sound, that's 1326 m/s, or 4774 km/h."
Luo Feng knew its power, but 1326 m/s stats stunned him breathless.
One second—one blink—over a kilometer gone.
"Black crowned eagle feathers surpass diamond hardness, rivaling third-grade Ke Lei alloy." Wei Wen added eagerly.
"Videos show it charging beast hordes against armies, shrugging off 20mm fire-god cannons. Those fire 7000 rounds/sec—a bullet storm! Each pierces 50mm steel. Yet… not a single feather lost to the barrage."
"Then a mystery martial artist wielded a Ke Lei alloy blade, flashing light to bisect the eagle!" Wei Wen enthused.
Luo Feng's pulse quickened.
He'd viewed that viral clip.
"'Fighter' title—I'll claim it someday… Like that senior*, blade in hand, slicing beasts like black crowned eagles or devil gorillas." Luo Feng vowed inwardly. Every youth dreams it; Luo Feng too!
*Senior like upperclassman not old man.
Net said that eagle-slaying fighter ranked top 100 globally—a super fighter!
"Feng, Feng, snap out—we're home." Wei Wen called.
Luo Feng snapped from reverie, eyeing the tube-building complex. --Small South Coast sector? Government's budget rental zone. Luo Feng called it home for 18 years.