Rowan stepped forward, slowly making his way toward the "South Shore Complex."
The streets and apartment buildings around him were laced with black pipes and tangled wiring. Rusty iron scaffolding and metal staircases clung to the buildings, but small details hinted at a level of technological advancement. The strange blend of old and new created an unsettling contrast.
Soon, pedestrians began to appear around him.
Rowan remained composed, continuing forward without drawing attention. Dressed in black shorts and a plain white T-shirt, he looked somewhat mixed-race, but not enough to stand out.
The people around him spoke fluent Mandarin. From the language alone, it was clear this wasn't some foreign Chinatown, but a place where Mandarin was native to the streets.
As he considered asking someone for directions, his eyes caught sight of a kiosk.
Though called an "ad kiosk," it was more like a square shipping container with two open windows, repurposed into a makeshift convenience booth.
It sold drinks, cigarettes, and magazines.
Rowan's gaze drifted to the magazines.
He walked closer and saw an elderly man with graying hair, reading a newspaper inside. The man wore thick reading glasses and a loose white tank top, one leg crossed over the other.
Rowan subtly adjusted his position to stay out of the old man's line of sight, then scanned the dozen or so magazines and newspapers displayed on the wall.
One glance was all it took to shake him to his core.
**"Interview with China's War God-Level Martial Artist"**
**"Detailed Breakdown of Black Crow Alloy Equipment"**
**"Biography of Earth's Strongest: Hong"**
Just three covers, and Rowan needed no more.
"This is the world of *Swallowed Star*!"
Excitement surged through him like a tidal wave.
"War God-level martial artists, Black Crow Alloy, Earth's number one expert Hong... there's no doubt. This is the *Swallowed Star* universe!"
The power system in this world was off the charts.
Not only that, but *Swallowed Star* featured a complete power progression framework and countless opportunities.
Even becoming a basic martial artist would give him the strength to solo Captain America!
If he reached the Planetary level, he could walk the Earth like a god.
As for the Star level? Rowan figured that would put him on par with Odin or the Ancient One beings revered as Skyfather-tier in the Marvel Universe.
But in *Swallowed Star*, even the Star level was just the beginning.
There were Universe level warriors, Sector Lords, Undying Spirits, and Cosmic Venerables beyond that.
If he played this right, he'd basically be hacking the Marvel Universe.
This dimensional portal ring was absolutely overpowered.
After a brief moment of exhilaration, Rowan forced himself to calm down. A surge of caution crept in.
As incredible as *Swallowed Star* was, it was equally dangerous.
Just take the Golden Horned Beast crisis one slip, and Earth could be wiped out.
"Wait, how old is Luo Feng right now?"
Rowan suddenly remembered something crucial.
If Luo Feng had already joined the Dojo of Limits, then the Golden Horned Beast event wasn't far off.
And if Earth was destroyed, well, so was he.
He turned back to the newspaper pinned to the kiosk wall, scanning for a date.
**April 26, 2055.**
Rowan furrowed his brow.
He remembered the *Swallowed Star* story began in the 35th year after the Great Nirvana, when Luo Feng was about to graduate high school.
"2055... that means Luo Feng is still in his second year of high school?"
"Good. That means there's still time."
Having determined the current timeline, Rowan let out a breath of relief.
Luo Feng was still young, which gave him plenty of time to build himself up.
Feeling more grounded, Rowan glanced at his left wrist. His Omega Seamaster read 15:31.
A gift from Hill for his sixteenth birthday, it had cost over ten thousand dollars.
He looked up at the digital display in the kiosk. It showed the same time 15:31.
"Perfect. The two worlds run on synchronized time."
"Hill is on assignment and won't return until around nine tomorrow night, so I'm not in a rush."
Rowan decided to stay a little longer in *Swallowed Star*.
He still had one final question about the portal ring: how long could he remain in this universe at a time?
Was there a time limit, or could he stay indefinitely?
"Hmm... no need to rush to a dojo yet. First things first I need a fake ID."
Rowan weighed his options carefully.
The biggest draw of this world was undeniably the two major martial arts dojos.
If he became a certified martial artist, he'd essentially be a superhero in the Marvel Universe and all without tech or genetic modification.
But before that, he needed a legal identity.
Without one, he'd be a ghost in the system. If the wrong people found out, it would spell trouble.
"Hey, kid! Looking to buy something?"
The old man inside the kiosk had noticed him.
He gave Rowan a once-over, surprised by the young man's mixed and striking appearance. In the South Shore Complex, only Luo Feng could possibly compare in looks.
"Not really, sir. I just wanted to ask you something. Do you know where I can find Howard Zhou?"
Rowan smiled politely as he asked.
Howard Zhou was a local fixer in Yi'an District, affiliated with the influential Zhou family from Jiangnan Base City. In the original story, Zhang Haobai had hired Howard Zhou to arrange a hit on Luo Feng inside a detention center.
If anyone could get him a fake ID, it was Howard Zhou.
"Howard Zhou?"
The old man frowned at the name and gave Rowan a second look.
"Why are you looking for someone like him? Best not to get mixed up with that crowd."
"It's my cousin. He's been hanging around those guys lately. My parents asked me to bring him home."
Rowan let out a fake sigh as he spoke.
"Ah, I see. Yeah, lately a lot of kids from our complex have been getting involved with them. It's a headache, honestly."
The old man folded up his newspaper and pointed down the road to the right.
"Follow this street and take a right. You'll see a place called Golden Ocean KTV. Howard Zhou's usually there with his gang."
"Thank you, sir."
Rowan smiled gratefully and walked in the direction the man had indicated.
The old man stood up and called out, "Hey kid, try not to start anything with them. If your cousin refuses to come home, don't push too hard."
"Got it, sir. Thanks again."
Rowan waved back at the kind old man.
Soon, he arrived at the entrance to Golden Ocean KTV.
From a distance, he spotted a row of flashy motorcycles parked outside.
Two blond punks sat on their bikes, smoking.