Darkness.
Then… Pain.
A dull throbbing hammered against his skull, followed by the faint, antiseptic hum of a hovering ceiling light. He blinked, his breath catching in ragged, shallow gasps. A wave of acute nausea hit him, confusingly mixed with a lingering scent of cheap liquor and stale air.
I was on the roof... the edge of the roof.
He remembered the bitter cold, the empty bottle, the dizzying drop, and the single, all-consuming thought that had driven him there: Guilt. He had lost everything—his savings, his hope, and worst of all, his mother. He had blindly trusted a friend with their life savings for an investment, only for the friend to vanish the moment it failed. With no money left, he couldn't afford the advanced treatment his mother needed. He lost her. Blaming himself, he had gone to the rooftop, drinking until the suffocating guilt convinced him to end his life.
Yet, he was here.
"…Where am I?" he muttered.
He raised a hand. It was the hand of a strong, healthy eighteen-year-old, not the weak, trembling hand he remembered. The sterile metallic scent of the air, the faint hum of distant technology, the subtle press of a different gravity—none of it belonged to the Earth that he knew.
Then, memories, not his own, crashed into his mind like a tsunami, displacing the recent trauma with alien knowledge: Li Yao… Venina Paulinus… God of War… Jiangnan Base City… Dojo of Limits… Monsters… Luo Feng…
His heart hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs.
No way… this is Swallowed Star.
Not just that—he was Li Wei, the son of the two Advanced Gods of War, heir to a wealthy, and influencial family with divine renown. In canon, Li Wei existed only as a name, a background son mentioned once before fading into narrative obscurity.
But now—"I'm him.I… transmigrated into Li Wei."
The terrifying memory of the past life—the helplessness, the irreversible loss due to a lack of power and money—clenched his gut. Never again. Now, he was born into the pinnacle of Earth's society, and he knew everything that was coming.
A faint electronic chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Optimization System Activated.]
Initializing Host: Li Wei (Human, Male, 18). Scanning current world: Swallowed Star (Universe Timeline: 2056). System Permissions unlocked: Databank, Appraisal, Bind Slots (2/2 available).
He froze, utterly speechless. A floating interface appeared before him, translucent blue, lined with pulsing data nodes.
"…Optimization System?" he whispered under his breath.
A new prompt shimmered, detailing the functions: Databank (accessing all universe info), Appraisal (scanning entities), and crucial Optimization Slots (binding up to two targets). When bound target acquires power, experience, wealth, or treasures, host automatically receives a 10,000× optimized version suited to their potential.
Li Wei exhaled slowly, the lingering phantom pain of his past life fading beneath a rising tide of ruthless certainty. This wasn't just a cheat—it was absolute adaptation made manifest. If Luo Feng became a Spirit Reader, he got a perfected, optimized variant. If Luo Feng earned a weapon, his would automatically be stronger.
He clenched his fists, a faint smirk touching his lips. He wouldn't steal Luo Feng's opportunities; the protagonist was destined for greatness regardless. But I'll walk beside him, unseen… and surpass even the heavens in silence. This is going to be fun. With this power, I will never be helpless again.
[Ding!]
First Optimization Slot Available.
Would you like to bind a target?
"Yes," Li Wei said softly. He paused. Luo Feng was the obvious choice, but binding him too early meant low returns. He needed a strategic start, a foundation of connections, standing, and immediate gains. Someone already powerful enough to feed the system in the short term.
A name surfaced from his deep well of canon memories: The Fourth Elder of the Palace of the Gods of War – East . A man known for his countless missions, vast network and Earth's stringst spirit master as of now.
"Bind the Fourth Elder of the Palace of the Gods of War – East ."
[Ding!]
Binding successful. All resources, knowledge, and gains from target will now be optimized for host use (x10,000 efficiency multiplier). Secondary Slot available.
Now came the real beginning.
Morning sunlight filtered through the large crystal windows of the Li Family mansion. The architecture was a sleek blend of modern sci-tech and faint Eastern motifs, and a giant holo-screen projected monster activity near the outer defense lines.
At the dining table sat his father, Li Yao, broad-shouldered and bronze-skinned, his mere presence carrying a pressure like molten steel. His mother, Venina Paulinus, graceful and beautiful with sharp Nordic features, sat beside him.
Li Wei entered, his expression calm but his eyes sharp with the weight of two lifetimes. "Good morning, Father, Mother."
Li Yao looked up, nodding approvingly. "You're awake early for once. Are you planning to resume your physical training today?"
Venina smiled faintly. "Our son is nearly eighteen, Yao. He needs more than muscle drills."
Li Wei exhaled, steadying his thoughts. The first strategic move had to be perfect. To get close to Luo Feng, he needed to go where he started: Yi'An Third High School.
He raised his gaze. "Actually, I wanted to discuss something. I want to transfer to Yi'An 3rd High School in the Zhi'An region."
Both parents froze.
Li Yao frowned. "Yi'An 3rd? That's one of the top ordinary schools. You'd be giving up elite military tutoring, Wei."
Venina's tone was soft but curious. "Why there, darling? You have access to the best mentors and simulation pods here."
Li Wei offered a small, sincere smile. "Because… a strong person doesn't depend on the environment. I want to grow among ordinary geniuses, test myself, and understand the base city's true heart. A warrior who only trains in comfort will never grow beyond it."
Li Yao studied him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. His voice rumbled with approval. "Hmph. Spoken like a future God of War."
Venina sighed but nodded. "Very well. If you insist, we'll arrange the transfer. But you'll maintain your training regimen—at least one session a day."
Li Wei nodded respectfully. "Of course, Mother." Perfect. Step one complete. This was easier than expected.
A week later, Li Wei stood before the sleek metallic gates of Yi'An 3rd High School. Hundreds of students bustled around, chattering excitedly about monster reports and dojo exams.
He scanned the crowd, his databank quietly humming.
[Appraisal Activated]
Luo Feng – Human (Earthling)
Age: 18 | Potential: SSS-tier | Status: Peak student | Hidden Trait: Awakening potential – Spirit Reader (Dormant)
Future trajectory: God of War → Sector Lord → Universe Lord.
Current Strength: F-level human body (base). Exceptional control.
Li Wei smiled faintly. So it begins.
He walked toward a lean, sharp-eyed boy jogging by the field.
"Hey—Luo Feng, right?" Li Wei called, casual and friendly.
Luo Feng turned, blinking in surprise. "Yeah? That's me. You're…?"
"Li Wei," he said, extending a hand. "Transfer student. Heard you're the school's rising star."
Luo Feng chuckled modestly. "That's exaggerated. I'm just trying my best."
That was the moment the Optimization System chimed softly.
[Ding!]
Would you like to bind Target #2: Luo Feng?
Estimated optimization multiplier: x10,000+ potential gain.
No hesitation.
"Bind Luo Feng," Li Wei whispered inwardly.
[Binding successful.]
Linked entity: Luo Feng. Synchronization Level: 0.001% (in progress). Note: All future gains of bound target will be optimized and tailored for host.
Li Wei smiled, eyes calm. "Then let's do our best together." His smile was effortless.
Luo Feng grinned. "Yeah—let's both make it to the Dojo of Limits someday!"
Oh, Luo Feng… you have no idea. We will both reach there. But only one of us will touch the true peak of the universe.
[System Update]: Host may conceal cultivation data. Current: Initial God of War Level → Concealed to Senior Student Level (Peak).
He looked up at the bright Jiangnan sky.
"The age of monsters, gods, and warriors… has begun."
"And this time—I'll walk alongside destiny itself."