Starforce Warriors

Chapter 135: Could You Hug Me?

"The True Dragon Breathing Technique was passed down by the initial Saint Taiyi. Only those with Great Xia bloodline are qualified to cultivate it. As an inspector of a major city base, I have only one opportunity in my lifetime to pass this technique on, and I can teach it to only one person."

"Li Xiaofei, I have high hopes for you. Do not disappoint me. The so-called True Dragon is the dragon of Great Xia. The dragon can fly, is adept at transformation, and can summon wind and rain. Above, it soars to the nine heavens. Below, it dives into the nine abysses. It is the totem of our Great Xia nation. True Dragon Breathing involves inhaling clouds and exhaling mist."

Li Zhoumin explained everything in great detail. Li Xiaofei began to unconsciously cultivate as he listened. The fundamental principles of every breathing technique were the same. The differences lay in the rhythm of breathing, the methods of circulating qi, the frequency, the routes, and the mental visualization during the breathing process.

The True Dragon Breathing Technique was the most complex, obscure, and difficult breathing method Li Xiaofei had ever encountered. It took him a full hour to barely integrate all the content, complete the first cycle of circulating qi, and exhale a breath of True Dragon Qi.

"Teacher Li, am I practicing too slowly?" He asked, a bit anxious.

Li Zhoumin replied calmly, "You\'re doing fine. Keep up the good work."

But in his heart, he was astounded.

By the Saints of Taiyi, there truly are prodigies in this world.

When Li Zhoumin first cultivated the True Dragon Breathing Technique, it had taken him a full three days to achieve the True Dragon Breath.

"When you defeated Xiong Zhigang in the competition, you must have used some kind of ancient martial arts footwork, right?" Li Zhoumin asked.

Li Xiaofei replied, "Yes, Teacher Li, I... "

Li Zhoumin waved his hand and said, "It\'s enough to know. Everyone has their secrets; you don\'t need to explain in detail."

Li Xiaofei breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn\'t possibly tell him the same story he had told his aunt about finding it in a dead body at the slum\'s wastewater plant.

Li Zhoumin continued, "Your martial techniques and footwork are exceptionally refined and rare even in the base city. They will inevitably attract the envy of some greedy individuals. From today onwards, you can tell people that I taught you these skills."

Li Xiaofei was overjoyed.

"Thank you, Teacher Li," he said, standing up quickly to express his gratitude.

This resolved a significant problem for me. This evening\'s event was truly a great gain.

Li Zhoumin smiled and said, "Since you call me your teacher, I must take on some responsibilities of a teacher."

Inwardly, he was jubilant.

Ahaha, I did it. I finally managed to convince this kid to become my student. This evening\'s event was indeed a great gain.

Both felt they had gained immensely from the situation.

"By the way, there\'s one more thing," Li Zhoumin added. "You are still a student, after all. High-profile publicity could be detrimental, so I have already ordered that no media reports or external dissemination of tonight\'s events are allowed. You won\'t blame your teacher for denying you the chance to stand out, will you?"

"Thank you, Teacher," Li Xiaofei said, seizing the opportunity. "This suits me perfectly. I only want to quietly study ancient martial arts, improve my strength, and cultivate for the rise of Great Xia. I have no desire to show off."

Unless he couldn\'t resist.

"It\'s getting late; you should go back," Li Zhoumin said, pouring another cup of tea. "You have my contact information now. If you need anything, you can come to me at any time. Come here every Sunday afternoon at two o\'clock so that I can check your cultivation progress."

"Thank you, Teacher," Li Xiaofei said, bowing respectfully.

Li Zhoumin took out a small twenty centimeter square box.

"This contains ten bottles of fourth-generation Starforce Reagents. Consider them a gift from your teacher."

No wonder he was the Inspector. Such a generous gesture.

Li Xiaofei bowed again and said, "It is an honor for this student to accept."

After taking the gift and bowing once more to express his gratitude, Li Xiaofei walked out of the room.

Outside, a staff member was waiting. They guided Li Xiaofei through several winding corridors and finally to the outdoor terrace on a lower level.

The night wind blew around him. In the late autumn season, the temperature had already become quite cold.

"Li Xiaofei."

Suddenly, a voice came from the side.

"Hmm?"

Li Xiaofei turned his head to look.

It was Zhong Ling. She stood alone in a sheltered spot, wearing a white off-shoulder evening dress with a sports jacket over it, shivering in the cold night wind.

"Why haven\'t you gone back yet?" Li Xiaofei frowned.

"I was waiting for you," Zhong Ling said, hugging her arms and trembling slightly.

"Waiting for me? For what?" Li Xiaofei asked. "Are you short on money again? I\'ll have someone transfer more to you immediately, and I\'ll increase your monthly allowance... You know my number. Just call me if you need anything."

Zhong Ling\'s face darkened, and she lowered her head, saying softly, "Is money the only reason you think I would come to you?"

Li Xiaofei smiled but remained silent.

Wasn\'t that the case? What else could Miss Zhong want from me?

"I misunderstood you a lot before," Zhong Ling mustered up her courage. "I\'m sorry."

"You stayed behind just to tell me that?" Li Xiaofei asked.

Zhong Ling nodded. "I felt like I should apologize to you. I\'ve been through a lot at school alone recently and have come to understand many things. I was really too willful before."

"Alright, I accept your apology," Li Xiaofei replied. "But it\'s very late now. You should hurry back."

Zhong Ling\'s face darkened. "Do you really dislike me?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you dislike my arrogance, my self-righteousness, my disdain for the slum where I was born and raised, my disregard for my father\'s advice, and my tendency to cause trouble even though I know nothing?" Zhong Ling\'s voice trembled as she seemed on the verge of tears.

Li Xiaofei frowned. He felt that this girl wasn’t just here to apologize. It seemed like she had been through some kind of emotional upheaval.

"I don\'t dislike you," Li Xiaofei said. "I just didn\'t agree with some of your actions in the past. Everyone needs to take responsibility for their words and actions. If you truly think you\'ve done wrong, then work hard to correct it. Crying won\'t solve anything."

"Can you forgive me?" Zhong Ling asked, tears streaming down her face.

"I\'ve already said that I accept your apology," Li Xiaofei replied.

"Can you really forgive me?" Zhong Ling asked, now showing a smile through her tears.

"Yes, really," Li Xiaofei confirmed.

"Then..."

Zhong Ling asked cautiously, "Do you still like me?"

Li Xiaofei was speechless.

Oh, come on, isn\'t this a bit too obvious? Before, you always found fault with me. Now, after seeing me become famous overnight, you\'re coming onto me? Has all of your master\'s education failed so miserably?

"That was all in the past," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "I am now focused on martial arts and have no interest in romantic affairs."

"But you are so close with the city leader\'s daughter. Do you... do you like her?" Zhong Ling couldn\'t help but ask.

"We are just friends. Besides, this has nothing to do with you," Li Xiaofei replied.

Zhong Ling\'s expression darkened and said, "Yes, I no longer have the right to ask..."

She lowered her head, shivering in the cold wind. After a few seconds of hesitation, she said, "I... I\'m a bit cold. Could you hug me?"