The Flame Mercenary Team had gathered at the southern wilderness base, where reinforced steel walls rose like silent guardians between civilization and the savage world beyond. Outside, the wilderness stretched endlessly, a realm ruled by beasts that had evolved into monsters after the Nirvana Period.
Chen Gu, the scar-faced gunman, stood proudly before a small group. His lean frame bore the scars of countless battles, but his sharp eyes glimmered with confidence. Beside him were two burly men—twins themselves, though bulkier and older than Luo Feng and Luo Zheng. One carried a massive axe on his back, the other had twin hatchets strapped at his waist.
"These are Zhang Ze and Zhang Ke," Chen Gu said with a grin. "Brothers, like you. Together we are the Flame Team. From today onward, you two will join us."
The Zhang brothers eyed Luo Feng and Luo Zheng curiously. Their appearances were striking: Luo Feng, with his midnight-black hair and sapphire eyes, stood tall and approachable, while Luo Zheng, with stark white hair and ruby-red eyes, carried an aura of icy calm. Even without revealing their power, the Evil Twins exuded pressure.
"Another set of twins, eh?" Zhang Ke laughed, patting the handle of his hatchet. "Looks like the wilderness has a sense of humor."
Zhang Ze, more serious, frowned slightly. "Chen Gu, they look young. Can they keep up?"
Chen Gu smirked. "Don't let appearances fool you. I've seen them move. They're faster than most quasi-warriors, and their strength already matches early-stage fighters. Trust me, they'll pull their weight."
Luo Feng smiled politely, while Luo Zheng remained silent, eyes cold and steady.
Zhang Ke shrugged. "Fine. As long as they don't drag us down. Out there, one mistake costs lives."
Zhang Ze nodded, though his gaze lingered with unspoken skepticism.
Chen Gu clapped his hands. "Enough chatter. Today we'll hunt steel-furred wolves. They're not too dangerous for a team our size, but they'll give us decent profit. Let's move!"
---
Into the Wilderness
Crossing the steel gates, the group entered the wild. The air was damp with the scent of grass and decay, and the distant howls of beasts echoed faintly. Luo Feng tightened the grip on his standard-issue dojo blade strapped across his back, while Luo Zheng's ruby eyes scanned the terrain with sharp calculation.
Their system weapons—twin flying blades, combat suits, and shields—remained hidden. Though strapped to their backs for all to see, the system suppressed their aura. To the team, they seemed like ordinary decorative gear.
It didn't take long before the wolves appeared.
A pack of six steel-furred wolves emerged from the undergrowth, their silvery hides glinting like armor under the muted sunlight. Their fangs dripped with saliva, and their eyes glowed red with primal hunger.
"Positions!" Chen Gu barked, raising his gun.
Bang! Bang!
His rifle cracked, forcing two wolves back.
Zhang Ke charged in with his twin hatchets, movements fierce and unrestrained. Zhang Ze followed, his massive axe cleaving the air with frightening power. The wolves snarled, surrounding them in a blur of fur and claws.
Luo Feng darted forward, his dojo blade flashing. With speed surpassing most fighters, he sliced cleanly through a wolf's neck, blood spraying across the grass. The Flame Team froze for a moment—such precision and force was unusual for someone his age.
Not to be outdone, Luo Zheng struck next. His blade moved like cold lightning, splitting another wolf's skull in a single, merciless strike. His face remained expressionless, as if killing beasts were routine.
Within minutes, the wolves lay dead, their corpses twitching in the dirt.
Chen Gu lowered his gun, whistling. "Impressive. Very impressive. Faster than I expected."
Zhang Ke scratched his head, grinning. "Guess these new twins ain't useless after all."
Zhang Ze, though still stoic, gave a curt nod. "They'll do."
Luo Feng smiled faintly, while Luo Zheng's expression didn't change. Inside, however, Luo Zheng was measuring everything—their strength, their teamwork, their efficiency. The Flame Team is solid, but one day Feng and I will surpass them easily.
---
Encounter at the Market
Hours later, the team dragged the wolf carcasses back to the southern base, piling them onto a hover-truck bound for the inner city. Their destination: the wilderness trade market, a bustling hub where blood, money, and ambition flowed freely.
Merchants shouted from behind stalls lined with beast hides, claws, and bones. Dojo representatives offered contracts for contribution points. The air smelled of smoke, leather, and freshly butchered meat.
It was here, amidst the crowd, that Luo Feng saw her.
Xu Xin.
She stood near a silk merchant's stall, her long hair tied into a ponytail, her slender figure graceful even in the busy street. She seemed to glow, an angel descended into chaos. Luo Feng's steps faltered, his heart skipping a beat.
"Bro," Luo Zheng's voice cut into his thoughts, low and teasing. "Isn't that your future wife?"
Luo Feng's face flushed. "Don't talk nonsense."
Zheng smirked faintly. "Don't lie to me. You've liked her since first grade. Knowing the plot, I'd say she's destined to be my sister-in-law."
Before Luo Feng could retort, Xu Xin turned. Her eyes widened slightly as she recognized him. "Luo Feng? You're here too?" Her voice was soft, yet carried over the crowd.
Luo Feng stammered. "Ah… yes. Just came back from the wilderness."
They spoke briefly, polite words about school and exams. Xu Xin smiled, her presence like spring sunlight, and Luo Feng's heart raced.
From a short distance away, a man watched with sharp eyes—Xu Gang, Xu Xin's older brother. His jaw tightened, and his gaze flicked to Luo Feng, then to Luo Zheng standing calmly at his side. The ruby-eyed twin met his stare without flinching, cold and unreadable. Xu Gang's suspicion deepened.
Luo Zheng leaned close to Luo Feng as Xu Xin walked away. "Careful, brother. Her brother won't be easy to deal with."
Luo Feng exhaled slowly, eyes following Xu Xin until she vanished into the crowd.
---
The Business of Beasts
At last, the Flame Team reached the trade hall. A merchant in thick leather gloves greeted them.
"Steel-furred wolves? Good haul. Let's weigh them."
He measured each part meticulously, listing prices:
Standard wolf hides: 3,000 Chinese dollars each.
Steel-furred hides: 9,000–10,000 each, depending on quality.
Claws and fangs: 800–1,200 a set.
Meat: sold cheaply at 300–500 per kilogram to restaurants.
In total, their six wolves fetched 148,000 Chinese dollars.
"Not bad," Chen Gu said, collecting the receipt. "Enough for a first day."
The merchant leaned closer. "Of course, if you want dojo contribution points, you can trade directly at the alliance counter. You'll get less cash, but contribution points let you buy techniques, medicines, even weapons."
Zhang Ze shook his head. "Cash for now. The twins are new, we'll need money to stabilize."
Luo Feng and Luo Zheng exchanged a glance but said nothing. Luo Zheng, however, thought silently: Cash keeps us alive. Points make us strong. Balance both, or die weak.
When the earnings were split, each member received an equal share. Luo Feng felt the weight of the bills in his hand—his first true wilderness income.
The Flame Team laughed, spirits high. Even Zhang Ze allowed a faint smile.
Chen Gu clapped the twins on their shoulders. "Good work today. Welcome to the Flame Team."
Luo Feng smiled warmly, while Luo Zheng simply nodded, eyes distant. Yet deep down, he felt a quiet satisfaction. Step by step, the pieces of destiny were falling into places