Huang Shen became a god at the young age of 12. The same age that every child in Purple Sky City either awakens their martial gene or doesn’t. It was at his home with his grandfather when his martial gene activated. Upon awakening his martial gene, the local surroundings were shredded or blown away, save for his grandfather, who somehow remained unharmed.

“Kukukukuku...” Shen held his forehead with his hand as he felt the power flowing through him. “I am a god! No longer am I an insignificant mortal... With this much energy, I can become the strongest in the universe!” An invisible force fiercely concentrated around him. The previous outburst from his awakening was now completely centered around him.

“My grandson...” Tears flowed down Grandfather Huang as he looked at his grandson in awe and reverence.

He dropped to his knees and kowtowed once he felt the power and brilliance radiating off of his grandson’s body. The two were stuck in that position until the Purple Sky City’s police force arrived at their destroyed home. Grandfather Huang didn’t stop his bowing, but Shen looked down on the arriving mortals. His piercing gaze seemed to encapsulate their entire beings. Like a deity looking down on their creation.

“Hello. I’m Officer Li. I’m here to investigate the explosion of battle power at this residence.” Officer Li looked around at all the mess.

Somehow it was only this house’s area that was destroyed. Once they got the calls of the explosion, they hurried their way here. The police officers expected there to be some fight between two martial warriors because of the amount of battle power released into the surroundings, but it was only an old man and his grandson.

“...” Shen didn’t bother giving the mortal a response.

Shen looked over at his grandfather to stop his groveling and deal with them. He went to his destroyed bedroom and began to explore his recently awakened godly power's capabilities.

Grandfather Huang understood the assignment. “My grandson simply awakened his martial gene. There is no reason for alarm, officers.” He cuffed his hands together in a respectful manner.

“Can I get your name?” Officer Li asked, pulling out a small notebook to write in.

“Of course. My name is...” Grandfather Huang dealt with the police as a burst of laughter came from Shen’s room.

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Years passed, and it was time for Shen to take his high school admission test. Of course, he was taking the test of the #1 martial school on the planet. As if any other place was worthy of accepting him. He wouldn’t have bothered with this place either if it wasn’t for a minor issue. Despite being a god, Shen was not yet the strongest being in the universe. He still had plenty more growing to do as a young god. With a small smile, he wondered how wonderful this school would be compared to his middle school.

“Lord Shen! We have arrived!” A small group of familiar faces rushed toward him before getting on their knees and bowing toward him.

An amused look appeared on Shen’s face. These fellows are truly worthy of being his followers, aren’t they? Even amongst this crowd of adults and fellow test-takers, they only felt pride at being able to follow him. Not a single one had a speck of embarrassment for doing this.

Throughout his middle school experience, lots of mortals tried to suck up to him because of his godly talent. However, Shen couldn’t just accept any type of follower. A god he may be, but a generous god he is not. Shen values efficiency and talent. If one is missing, the other is fine as well.

His most dedicated follower is one lacking talent but does everything in his power to prove his worth. Blood, sweat, tears, and even the threat of death aren’t enough to stop him. It’s somewhat respectable for a mortal. Shen nodded at the group for them to rise.

“Wei, Min, Jun. I’ll be looking forward to seeing the results of your efforts.” Shen decided to reward his followers this past summer for doing such a dutiful job in worshipping him.

He spent the entire summer training them into a group actually worthy of serving him. He gave the chance to dozens of others, but only these three managed to survive and evolve to a higher level in the end. Looking at them now, he didn’t expect for them to run into any problems during the test. His gaze focused on Min.

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“How is the girl?” Shen asked.

“Our lovely healthy daughter is being taken care of by Grandma and Mother, my Lord.” She answered with love glazing her eyes and filling her heart.

Shen only nodded in acknowledgment. He didn’t feel any love for his child's mother. As a god, he simply felt it beneath himself to use contraceptives. After all, she was the one to ask for it as a reward. As a young god growing out of his minor into his major, he couldn’t lie to himself that he wasn’t interested in matters of the flesh. Min herself was also not bad looking for a mortal as well.

“Lord, shall we continue how we’ve done during middle school?” Wei asked.

“I see no reason for you to stop,” Shen answered. “However, focus on those with value.” Wei gave a bow of his head in acknowledgment.

After the mass hospitalization of the gang during the summer, Lord Shen was not pleased to see them fall so easily. Wei, Jun, and Min understood which characteristics were valued by their Lord. He wanted followers that were determined with wills that wouldn’t shatter against natural disasters, always seeking improvement, and not lacking in intelligence. All three of them were such people. Strangely enough, also commoners like he once was.

Their reunion was cut short as a short but powerful figure arrived on stage. He was dressed in military attire with dozens of shiny medals plastered over his chest. His hands were held behind his back, but not a single peep was uttered once he arrived on stage. With just his mere presence, it silenced the entire gym.

“The time for the examination has begun. Parents and guardians, please leave. Your children’s results will be sent to you by the end of the day.” His tone allowed no room for questions.

Soon the adults began to leave the school building as the children were soon ushered to the testing field. There were thousands of students led to the grassy field. Shen and his followers stuck close together. Ahead of them, they could see groups of students being separated at different testing sites. Unfortunately, all four of them were separated by the soldiers. Wei noticed that they, in particular, were singled out compared to the other students as they split.

“Just do as expected,” Shen told the three.

“Yes, Lord Shen!” The three replied.

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Ko Min happily smiled as she parted with her Lord, eager to show him her training efforts. She was waiting in a line along with others. She couldn’t see what was happening up ahead from her position in line, but she could see those at the front getting out of line and moving somewhere. Then she heard loud sounds coming up from further ahead.

“Hey, sweetie, you nervous?” A guy standing in line behind her placed his arm around her shoulder once the sounds picked up. “I’m wondering what kind of test they’re going to put us through. You know, I was the strongest guy back in middle school. Kind of a big de-”

“Insect.” She jabbed her elbow into his stomach in one swift motion.

All the air was expelled from his lungs as he fell to the ground, blue in the face. Some soldiers came over to inspect him. Soon they demanded the others to tell them what happened as one of the soldiers was forced to give him CPR lest he suffocated on school grounds.

“You! Why did you do this!?” A soldier yelled at her.

“Trash should keep their hands to themselves.” Ko Min responded in a light tone with a smile on her face. “Don’t you think, instructor?” Her eyes pierced into him.

“You...!” Something felt strange about the way this kid was looking at him. “Don’t let it happen again! You would’ve killed him if we didn’t spot him in time!” He warned her.

“One less ant in the world isn’t that big of a deal.” Min calmly responded, a gentle smile still on her face.

The staff member felt like shivering from the freakish kid’s response but merely turned away and ordered several soldiers to keep an eye on her. After Min’s showing of nearly killing a fellow examinee in line, she was thankfully left alone. Eventually, she made it to the front of the line, where she was to sign and answer a document asking several questions.

By the end of it, all she had to do was give her signature and be told that another signature would be required of her guardian if she wanted to attend Rising Sun Military Academy fully.

“Please head to the testing area behind me after you finish signing. If you have any requirements before the test, please tell me now so that I can provide them for you.” The military lady finished.

“I can use weapons and my ability during this test?” Min asked for clarification's sake.

“Correct. Does your ability require any prerequisites, or do you not have a weapon on hand?” She asked.

“I’m fine.”

“Then please head to the testing area.”

Min headed behind her to the testing area. Scorched marks of earth, spider web patterns cracked in the ground, huge craters, and more were visible in front of her. Min didn’t know what she would be tested on but felt that she would do fine. She wasn’t a freak at combat like Jun, but she does well enough.

From her skirt’s pocket, she took out a small metallic box. With a press of a button, it expanded and opened inside out, revealing her preferred weapon. Two long thick curved blades crafted from the bones of a mutated curved swordfish. Weapons that were meant for stabbing, ripping, gouging, and carving rather than slicing, cutting, and cleaving. She personally killed this beast and was nearly torn in half by it if it wasn’t for her martial ability, along with Lord Shen watching over her.

“Please destroy the targets as fast as you can. You may begin.” A voice coming from a flying drone directed her.

“Forbidden Technique: God of Speed.” An incredible amount of battle power burst from her legs as she disappeared.