In the Great Xia Kingdom, Tianshu County.

In June, the city of Nanfeng is bathed in a scorching sun, roasting the earth.

Nanfeng is a mid-tier educational institution.

In a spacious and bright training ground, numerous youthful boys and girls, dressed in training attire, sit cross-legged around, their eyes fixed on the center of the field, where two figures are rapidly engaged in a sparring match, their wooden swords clashing with crisp sounds that echo throughout the training ground.

The two individuals in the arena are both around fifteen or sixteen years old. The boy on the right has a tall and slender build, a handsome face, and bright eyes under well-defined brows; his physique and temperament are exceptional. Not to mention anything else, just his outstanding appearance alone draws the attention of several girls in the audience, their eyes sparkling with admiration and a hint of shyness.

“Li Luo, go for it!”

A daring girl shouts words of encouragement.

Before the boy named Li Luo stands a burly youth whose rough features and dark skin make him look like a bear compared to Li Luo.

Upon hearing the cheers for Li Luo, he feels a twinge of jealousy and grins, then shouts, “Li Luo, I won’t be going easy on you!”

He steps forward, causing the floor to shake slightly. The wooden sword in his hand slices through the air, creating a faint whooshing sound as it strikes toward Li Luo.

As the sword shadow descends, Li Luo’s eyes flash. He points his toes, and his figure suddenly dashes out, his steps nimble as a sparrow, directly evading the heavy and fierce blow.

“That’s the Wind Sparrow Step!” someone in the crowd exclaims, filled with admiration. The Wind Sparrow Step is a low-tier affinity technique, and while many present know it, few can master it as skillfully as Li Luo.

Li Luo’s figure, like a sparrow, flits right in front of the burly youth, and he suddenly draws his wooden sword with a swift motion. In that instant, a flash of light seems to dart forward at incredible speed, aiming at the burly youth’s chest.

“Little Radiant Sword!” another person gasps. Li Luo’s strike is swift and fierce, like an antelope’s horns, causing them to marvel at how this top talent of Nanfeng Academy truly lives up to his reputation.

The sword shadow thrusts forward, and the burly youth’s expression changes. However, his strength is not to be underestimated. At a critical moment, he stabilizes his stance, stomps his foot, and retreats several steps.

Meanwhile, a faint silver light flickers on the surface of his body, and the hand gripping the wooden sword transforms into a blurred silver bear paw silhouette.

At the same time, a low bear growl, barely audible, emanates from the burly youth’s body.

Seeing this scene, many students in the arena exclaim, “That’s Zhao Kuo’s fifth-tier Silver Bear affinity! It looks like he’s serious!”

Amidst the cheers, Zhao Kuo steps forward, causing the ground to crack slightly beneath him. The heavy sword in his hand, infused with savage strength, creates a gust of wind as he fiercely swings it toward Li Luo.

Silver light rises from the wooden sword, and the sound of wind slicing through the air is piercing.

“Violent Slash!” the burly youth roars, and with a red glow, he strikes down, directly colliding with the swiftly approaching sword shadow.

Bang!

In the next moment, the two swords clash hard against each other.

In the violent collision, Li Luo’s wooden sword nearly shatters upon contact, as a force as fierce as a raging bear surges forth, causing the entire wooden sword to splinter apart.

The tremendous force sends Li Luo staggering backward for several steps.

Regaining his footing, Li Luo looks down at the broken wooden sword in his hand and smiles wryly, saying, “Alright, Zhao Kuo, you win.”

“Alas.”

At his words, some girls in the audience let out sounds of regret, while many boys show sly smiles. After all, being vigorous young men, they naturally feel envy and jealousy at how popular Li Luo is among the girls.

“What a pity. Clearly, Li Luo’s offensive was stronger, and he is also superior to Zhao Kuo in the application of affinity techniques. If not for his lack of affinity, he would have undoubtedly won this match,” someone comments.

“Indeed, Zhao Kuo has the fifth-tier Silver Bear affinity, which is incredibly powerful, and his affinity strength has likely reached the fifth seal level. He truly deserves the title of the strongest in our second academy.”

“Li Luo indeed has exceptional comprehension and talent in practicing affinity techniques, but his innate empty affinity is a serious flaw. Without sufficient powerful affinity strength to support him, even if he masters the techniques, it won't be of much use.”

“Ha ha, don’t feel sorry for him. Who is Li Luo? He’s the young lord of the ‘Luolan Mansion,’ one of the five great mansions in the Great Xia Kingdom. His parents are the youngest nobility in the Great Xia Kingdom. In just ten years, the Luolan Mansion has become one of the five great mansions. They are quite renowned, both within and outside the Great Xia Kingdom.”

“Hey, it’s already been some time. Why bring up old history? Since three years ago, when Li Luo’s parents disappeared in the ‘Noble Warzone,’ the Luolan Mansion has been in decline. Moreover, from what I’ve heard, there are significant divisions within the Luolan Mansion now, and it might split in the future. This young lord probably won’t last long.”

“Oh? Is that so? The current leader of the Luolan Mansion should be... Senior Sister Jiang Qing'e, right?”

When this name is mentioned, all the boys present show a fiery glint in their eyes, as that name is a legend in their Nanfeng mid-tier school.

However, when they think about the relationship between this legendary senior sister and Li Luo, their gazes toward him become somewhat peculiar.

As the numerous boys and girls in the arena whisper among themselves, Zhao Kuo walks over to Li Luo, pats him on the shoulder with a grin, and says, “You okay? Don’t blame me for winning unfairly.”

Li Luo smiles back. Zhao Kuo is straightforward by nature and has a good relationship with him, and there's nothing improper about this match.

After all, his innate empty affinity is his greatest flaw, and it shouldn't be blamed on Zhao Kuo.

On the sidelines, a middle-aged man named Xu Shanyue, who is a teacher in the second academy, shifts his gaze away from the two in the arena, his eyes filled with regret.

Li Luo’s comprehension is outstanding; he can practice any affinity technique faster than others. In this regard, he has clearly inherited the strengths of his exceptional parents, even surpassing them.

But regretfully... Li Luo’s innate empty affinity complicates his training in affinity strength.

Human cultivation relies on one’s own affinity, which is the fundamental aspect of training.

By absorbing the energy of heaven and earth through affinity, what is ultimately formed is called affinity strength.

Human affinities come in countless varieties, but they are generally divided into two main categories: elemental affinities and beast affinities.

Elemental affinities involve various elements in the world, such as water, fire, wind, and thunder, while beast affinities are said to have originated from the beginning of humanity when supreme beings sought to enhance human power by integrating the spirits of myriad beasts into human bloodlines, thus giving rise to beast affinities.

Both elemental and beast affinities are categorized into ranks, simply understood as levels one to nine.

When human children reach around ten years of age, a passageway within them will open, known as the affinity palace.

When the affinity palace appears, it naturally gives rise to one’s own affinity.

For instance, Zhao Kuo has awakened a fifth-tier Silver Bear affinity in his affinity palace, which belongs to the beast affinity category.

This affinity is characterized by immense strength, and when combined with his affinity strength, his destructive power is quite astonishing.

However, the problem with Li Luo arises here: since the opening of his affinity palace, it has not revealed any affinity; it is entirely empty, hence it is referred to as the extremely rare empty affinity.

Without an affinity as the fundamental element to absorb and refine the energy of heaven and earth, Li Luo naturally finds it difficult to cultivate powerful affinity strength... This is the most fundamental reason why he lost to Zhao Kuo.

Because his affinity palace has no affinity.

Regarding Li Luo’s empty affinity issue, the academy has conducted many tests. Due to the exceptional nature of his parents, the academy’s higher-ups had high hopes for Li Luo’s enrollment, believing he would surely advance to the most prestigious academy in the Great Xia Kingdom, the Holy Profound Star Academy.

In his first year, Li Luo did not disappoint; he showcased remarkable talent in the practice of affinity techniques and was directly promoted to the first academy of Nanfeng Academy, where the most outstanding youths in Tianshu County are gathered.

However, as time passed, when the students reached the stage where affinities manifest, he displayed the most awkward situation.

That is, while others had their own affinities, he... although his affinity palace was born, it was empty inside.

And lacking his own affinity, while Li Luo was always one step ahead in practicing affinity techniques, his affinity strength improved quite slowly, falling below the average level of the first academy after a year.

The practice of affinity techniques is meant to enhance one’s affinity strength, but if one’s affinity strength is weak, even the most advanced techniques will have limited effectiveness.

After repeated testing, the academy’s higher-ups reached a conclusion: this is likely due to Li Luo’s physique.

This kind of physique lacks affinity within, making it difficult to absorb and refine the energy of heaven and earth, leading to particularly arduous future cultivation.

Once this result came out, the affinity master of the first academy directly applied to the academy’s higher-ups to demote Li Luo from the first academy to the current second academy.

This is actually quite normal, as the first academy represents the pride of Nanfeng Academy. The affinity master naturally did not want Li Luo to hold back the progress, and moreover, at that time, Li Luo's parents had already been missing for a long time. Having lost these two pillars, the Luolan Mansion, the weakest among the four great mansions, has had a rather awkward situation in the Great Xia Kingdom these years.

Thus, Li Luo ultimately ended up in the second academy.

Xu Shanyue sighed inwardly. When Li Luo first arrived at the second academy, Zhao Kuo was not even his opponent, but now, in just half a year, Li Luo has already begun to be suppressed by Zhao Kuo.

At this rate, it is likely that in the next six months, Li Luo's ranking in the second academy will continue to decline.

If Li Luo ultimately only achieves this level, he will probably be forever distanced from the coveted Holy Profound Star Academy of the Great Xia Kingdom.

Xu Shanyue gazes at Li Luo’s tall figure and calm, handsome face, feeling even more regretful. This young man has been putting in considerable effort, but because his parents are so outstanding, others have set their expectations for him very high. Now, those excellent parents have become a source of pressure for him.

After all, people only say that the tiger father begets a dog son, without understanding the deeper aspects.

Li Luo faces the many regretful gazes, brushing off the wood shavings from his body, and then sits cross-legged aside. He knows very well what everyone is thinking at this moment.

Empty affinity...

This almost indicates a bleak future.

However... Li Luo slightly curls his lips, his hand unconsciously brushing against his lower abdomen. In fact, apart from himself, no one knows that his special situation is not just the so-called empty affinity.

In this world, practitioners initially only open one affinity palace within them, and if they reach the Marquis realm in the future, they will give birth to a second affinity palace; upon reaching the King realm, they will possess a third affinity palace... However, the Marquis realm is exceedingly rare in the entire Great Xia Kingdom, and as for the King realm, even within the powerful Great Xia Kingdom, it is seldom heard of.

Of course, this is not absolute. It is rumored that exceptionally gifted individuals have a very low probability of giving birth to a second affinity palace before they reach the Marquis realm when advancing in affinity strength, but this probability is also extremely rare.

Li Luo’s other unique aspect lies here... Although he is currently only at the initial ten seal realm, he... does not have one affinity palace... but rather, an unprecedented three!

That’s right—this level is originally something that only peak powers who enter the King realm can achieve, yet it has unexpectedly appeared within Li Luo’s body.

But what is even more emotionally tumultuous is that all three of these affinity palaces are empty!

So, if one empty affinity means no future, then what do three empty affinities imply?

Li Luo sighed, his expression somewhat melancholic.

As Li Luo’s thoughts grew complicated, Zhao Kuo also sat down beside him and quietly asked, “Have you not resolved the issue with your empty affinity?”

Li Luo merely shook his head in response.

Seeing this, Zhao Kuo let out a helpless sigh. He understood that he seemed to have asked a superfluous question; affinity is innate, and he hadn’t heard of anyone being able to fill it in later.

Li Luo’s situation is evidently a colossal challenge.

While the two were talking, Xu Shanyue entered the arena, offering a few words of encouragement to Li Luo before finally addressing all the students: “Everyone, next month marks the beginning of the crucial examination phase. Your future prospects of entering a higher educational institution depend on this assessment, so work hard on your cultivation.”

Upon hearing this, many students turned serious. They have worked hard for years, all for next month’s major examination; if they can use this opportunity to enter a prestigious institution, their future achievements will significantly improve.

After Xu Shanyue finished speaking, he announced the end of the class.

Li Luo and Zhao Kuo walked shoulder to shoulder, flowing out of the training ground with the crowd.

“I need to go practice my affinity techniques a bit more. Today you really got to me. You’re a monster; if your affinity strength were a bit stronger, I’d probably be hanging from the rafters,” Zhao Kuo sighed dejectedly as he exited the training ground and waved goodbye to Li Luo.

Li Luo smiled at Zhao Kuo’s retreating figure, understanding that Zhao Kuo was concerned that their earlier match might affect his mood, so he walked away first.

However, after all this time, he had long since grown accustomed to it.

Li Luo turned his gaze away and walked along the forested path toward the academy’s exit.

Along the way, he encountered many students, and regardless of gender, they would cast their eyes upon him. After all, apart from his handsome looks, Li Luo has also gained a somewhat legendary reputation in this academy.

For those gazes, Li Luo appeared quite indifferent, continuing down the path until he paused at the front gate of the academy.

Ahead, there was a large crowd gathered, bustling and noisy.

The place where the students were gathered featured a blue stone wall: the Honor Wall of Nanfeng Academy, which records all the outstanding talents that have emerged from Nanfeng Academy.

The students have seen this Honor Wall countless times, and they should have grown weary of it, yet it remains lively every day.

Li Luo pursed his lips, well aware of the reason: most of the crowd is here for her.

His gaze directed toward a position at the top of the Honor Wall, where a crystal stone emanates beams of light that ultimately converge to form a tall, slender, and lifelike silhouette.

It is a girl, dressed in the school uniform of Nanfeng Academy—a simple white top, with a deep blue short cloak fluttering in the wind, and a black short skirt that reveals her long, slender, and strikingly white legs.

She has exquisite features, with a delicate nose, long and thick eyelashes, and skin fairer than snow. Yet, while each of these aspects is admirable, what is most memorable is the girl’s eyes.

They are a pair of golden pupils, radiating an indescribable purity that, if stared at for too long, can even bring a sense of pressure.

Her expression is somewhat aloof as she gazes ahead, one hand resting on her slender waist while the other supports a heavy sword, thus exuding a refreshing and sharp dominance.

This is a girl whose appearance and temperament make hearts race.

On the wall behind her silhouette, her name is inscribed.

Jiang Qing'e, the dazzling pearl who emerged from Nanfeng Academy, possesses a ninth-tier Bright Affinity, and her extraordinary talent has amazed countless people in the Great Xia Kingdom.

In just two years since enrolling, without even reaching the promotion examination, she was specially recruited by the Holy Profound Star Academy of the Great Xia Kingdom, becoming the first in a hundred years from Tianshu County to receive such an honor.

She has become a legend at Nanfeng Academy, with countless future students looking up to her, and now she is even famous throughout the Great Xia Kingdom.

Li Luo stared blankly at the silhouette of Jiang Qing'e, then noticed several gazes in the vicinity were directed at him. The students, regardless of gender, looked at him with a mix of unwillingness, envy, and peculiarity.

Unmoved by their attention, Li Luo understood where these gazes originated.

Because of Jiang Qing'e.

This girl, regarded as a goddess by both male and female students at Nanfeng Academy, is not only a disciple of his parents but also... his fiancée.

To put it plainly, Jiang Qing'e is his betrothed.