[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grinding-to-become-the-master-of-the-universe":3,"chapter-grinding-to-become-the-master-of-the-universe-grinding-to-become-the-master-of-the-universe-chapter-15":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Grinding to Become the Master of the Universe",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},255011,526,"Chapter 15 - 14: Anticipation","grinding-to-become-the-master-of-the-universe-chapter-15",15,"\u003Cp>The school bell echoed through the empty hallways of the academic building, carrying with it a lingering, hollow sense of finality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of silence, the students of Class 5 erupted into a cacophony, as if released from some invisible restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged contact information on their personal terminals, scribbled their names on each other’s school uniforms, embraced tightly, and loudly promised to get together again after the exams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire classroom was enveloped in a complex mix of excitement, melancholy, and uncertainty about the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng did not take part in any of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the thin examination admission ticket that carried the weight of three years of his youth and his future, he walked out of the noisy classroom alone and found a quiet corner behind the academic building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned against the cold wall, lowering his head to carefully examine the ticket in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The admission ticket was made of a special composite material, tough yet smooth, with all the necessary information clearly printed in the standard Empire font.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Empire Unified Secondary Education Placement Exam Admission Ticket]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Qin Feng]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Student ID: 7351098]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Test Center: Qimingxing No.12 Middle School]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Exam Room: Building B - Comprehensive Testing Ground 7]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Exam Schedule and Subjects:]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Day 1 Morning (8:30-11:30): Physical Test Subject 1 (Vitality Index Assessment), Physical Test Subject 2 (Comprehensive Physical Fitness Test: including 100-meter dash, peak punching power, neural reaction speed)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Day 1 Afternoon (14:00-16:00): Academic Subject 1 (Comprehensive History of the Empire, Spiritual Energy Basics)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Day 2 Morning (9:00-11:00): Academic Subject 2 (Imperial Standard Language, Exotic Language Basics)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empire’s educational placement was a precise and ruthless screening system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t just place importance on the \"Vitality Index,\" which determined one’s potential in the Martial Dao; the requirements for academic subjects were equally stringent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every component of the physical test was precisely quantified into points, which, along with the Vitality Index, ultimately formed the \"Martial Arts Points\" that would decide one’s future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the four academic subjects were evaluated on a letter-grade system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One’s composite score for all subjects had to reach \"A\" grade to even qualify for their \"Martial Arts Points\" to be considered in the admissions pool for top-tier Martial Arts High Schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shortcoming in any area meant being completely cut off from the path of the Martial Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng carefully put the admission ticket away in an inside pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the patch of sky, perfectly squared off by the surrounding buildings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was a deep blue, and anti-gravity vehicles glided silently along their designated sky-lanes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing was different from a month ago, the day he was called into the office to speak with Li Weiguo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to him, the entire world had been transformed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned, walked down the stairs, and merged into the bustling crowd of students leaving the school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school gate was packed with parents waiting to pick up their children. Their faces all bore the same expression of nervousness and anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng spotted the familiar figure at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Dahai stood alone under the shade of a plane tree, his posture as straight as a pine, his empty left sleeve swaying gently in the breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the other parents, he wasn’t looking around anxiously. He just stood there quietly, his calm gaze fixed on the school gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Qin Feng walked out, his father’s eyes locked onto him instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng walked over quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Dahai didn’t ask a single question. He simply turned and walked shoulder-to-shoulder with his son toward the maglev bus stop in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they were on the bus, Qin Feng took out the admission ticket and handed it to his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Dahai took it, his eyes falling on the \"Test Center\" line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twelfth Middle School... That’s very close to your uncle’s place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up, watching the streetscape rushing by outside the window, then glanced at his son beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It takes over an hour and two transfers to get there from our house. The exam is early tomorrow morning. That’s cutting it too close.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Dahai made his decision, his tone leaving no room for argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tonight, you’re staying at your uncle’s.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he raised his wrist, activated his personal terminal, and placed a call to Wang Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light screen popped up, showing his uncle Wang Ming’s grease-streaked, slightly weary face. In the background, the deafening clang of metal and the roar of machinery were as loud as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dahai? What’s up?\" Wang Ming shouted over the noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah Ming, it’s Xiaofeng’s entrance exam, and the test center is at Twelfth Middle School. We’re coming to crash at your place for the night.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Dahai’s voice cut through the noisy background and came through clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come! You have to come! I’ll call Li Juan right now and tell her to make extra dishes tonight! The entrance exam, that’s a big deal! I’ll go ask the foreman for time off and head home early!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The father and son traveled the rest of the way in silence, the bus swaying gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evening. Hongye Community.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was even more crowded here than in the Silver Gull community. The gaps between buildings were narrower, and the sky was a tangled mess of energy conduits and communication cables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng and his father walked up to the familiar residential building, carrying some fruit and nutritional supplements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they even reached the door, they could hear the laughter of children chasing each other and playing inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ming opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had changed out of his grease-stained work clothes into a clean set of house clothes. His hair was neatly combed, and he looked much more refreshed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, Xiaofeng, come on in!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He enthusiastically welcomed them inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His aunt, Li Juan, was busy in the small kitchen, wearing an apron. The clatter of pots and pans mingled with the roar of the range hood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His three younger cousins saw Qin Feng and excitedly crowded around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Feng!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Feng, you’re here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youngest one grabbed onto Qin Feng’s pant leg, looking up at him with a small, curious face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on, go on, don’t bother your brother. Let him rest for a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ming said with a smile, shooing the little ones away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled over two chairs for Qin Feng and Qin Dahai to sit, then personally poured them two glasses of hot water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, don’t you worry, the room is all set. Xiaohao, Xiaojie, and I will squeeze in together so Xiaofeng can have a room to himself. I’ll make sure he gets a good night’s sleep tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry for the trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Dahai said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re family. Don’t say that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ming waved his hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Qin Feng, his eyes full of concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A month ago, when Qin Feng had come to borrow money, he had still looked sickly and melancholic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, although the young man before him was still lean, his posture was straight, his presence was steady, and his eyes held a reassuring confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his nephew’s chronic illness had been cured and that he had spent the last month training arduously at the Extreme Martial Arts Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t dare ask for details about his progress, for fear of putting more pressure on the boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiaofeng, you must be exhausted after a month at the Martial Arts Hall, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ming asked, taking a more tactful approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was fine. I’m used to it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s good, that’s good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ming rubbed his hands together. \"Don’t be nervous. Just treat tomorrow like another test at the Martial Arts Hall. Just perform as you normally do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, I know, Uncle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the kitchen, his aunt Li Juan poked her head out. Her face showed a hint of exhaustion, but her smile was genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Dahai, Xiaofeng, dinner will be ready soon. Have a seat, watch some TV for a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, a dinner so sumptuous it could be called extravagant was served on the small dining table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whole Chiyu Chicken, roasted to a glistening golden-brown—a centerpiece dish they would only splurge on for holidays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large platter of stir-fried peppers with shredded pork, made with real Exotic Beast Meat. The slices of meat were thick and incredibly fragrant, unlike the synthetic meat they usually ate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pot of rich, creamy white broth simmered from Exotic Beast bones, with vibrant green scallions floating on top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were also several fresh vegetable dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rich, meaty aroma instantly filled the entire apartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three younger cousins’ eyes went wide as they gathered around the table, their mouths watering uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dinner’s ready!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Wang Ming’s command, the children cheered and immediately dug in with their chopsticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eat slowly, no one’s going to steal it from you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Juan chided them, but her chopsticks never stopped moving, piling food into her children’s bowls until they resembled small mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Feng, eat the chicken leg!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eldest cousin picked up the biggest drumstick and placed it in Qin Feng’s bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You eat it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng placed it back in his cousin’s bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You eat it, you eat it! You have an exam tomorrow, you need the strength!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy stubbornly placed it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Dahai and Wang Ming sat to the side, their chopsticks untouched, just silently watching the children with smiles on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Dahai took out a bottle of cheap white liquor he had brought from home and poured a glass for Wang Ming and himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have a drink.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Dahai’s words were brief and to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men clinked their glasses and downed the liquor in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the fiery liquid went down, Wang Ming’s face flushed slightly red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, that kid Xiaofeng... he’s going to go far. Looking at his spirit and energy, it’s like he’s a whole new person. Tomorrow will definitely be no problem for him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s hope you’re right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Dahai refilled his glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meal was a lively and heartwarming affair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three younger cousins ate until their faces were shiny with grease, their small faces beaming with pure bliss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For them, this was perhaps the most satisfying meal they’d had in months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dinner, Li Juan and Wang Ming insisted that Qin Feng and his father not lift a finger, and the two of them deftly cleared the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ming led Qin Feng to the small room that had been specially prepared for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was small, containing only a bed and a desk, but it was spotless. The bedding smelled of sunshine and soap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiaofeng, get to sleep early. Don’t think about anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ming added another reminder before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay, Uncle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng closed the door, and the room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could hear his uncle and cousins in the next room, squeezed onto one bed, their hushed voices carrying through the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could hear his father and aunt still talking softly in the living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he could hear the distant, sleepless hum of the city outside his window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took off his clothes and lay down on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a month of being pushed to its absolute limit, his body had reached a delicate state of equilibrium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tomorrow was the day to test the results of all his efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Feng closed his eyes, and his breathing soon became steady and deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slept dreamlessly through the night.\u003C\u002Fp>",1934,"2026-05-29T16:17:35.441Z","2026-06-01T04:29:43.187Z",1,"novelbin.me","1c75a0c802c9b7650fb643ae907f32e238dde9b28d8fdabe2b6f35ca5791c2cf","grinding-to-become-the-master-of-the-universe-chapter-16","grinding-to-become-the-master-of-the-universe-chapter-14",325,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrinding-to-become-the-master-of-the-universe-cover.jpg"]