"Gao Fei, didn't you say you wanted to learn martial arts? I'll teach you today." Xia Tian planned to instruct Gao Fei in martial arts and the art of entering a deep, restorative sleep. However, Gao Fei would not be able to learn complex movements or footwork right away. To master the Manyun Fairy Step, one needed to study the Book of Changes and the Eight Trigrams from an early age. As for the Lingxi Finger, it required a deep understanding of the human body before it could be practiced.
As long as one possessed internal strength, any martial technique could eventually be mastered.
"Thank you, Master." Gao Fei knelt down and kowtowed three times to Xia Tian.
"Get up. There's not much I can teach you directly. The rest depends on how diligently you practice in the future. I hope you work hard," Xia Tian said, nodding.
"Don't worry, Master. I'll give it everything I have." For Gao Fei, no one commanded greater respect than Xia Tian. His outlook was simple—he would devote himself completely to anyone who treated him well.
Having lost both parents, Gao Fei saw Xia Tian as the closest person in his life. His loyalty was absolute.
Xia Tian's training method was straightforward. First, he had to completely exhaust Gao Fei's body so that he could enter a higher state of sleep. It was a demanding technique. Gao Fei followed Xia Tian's instructions closely—even when he couldn't complete certain movements, he still gave it his all.
He attempted feats like jumping into a handstand with one arm and doing one-finger push-ups.
Gao Fei's determination was remarkable. After just half an hour, he was completely drained, but he didn't give up. He clenched his teeth and persisted.
Finally, after an hour, Gao Fei could no longer stand.
"Listen carefully and follow my instructions," Xia Tian said when he saw the moment was right. He began teaching Gao Fei the Tianxing Jue.
Gao Fei did not disappoint him. Although he couldn't reach the advanced sleep state that Xia Tian had mastered, he still achieved a medium-level state—just one step below Xia Tian's.
This demonstrated Gao Fei's impressive talent. Not only was his perseverance exceptional, but his natural aptitude for cultivation was also considerable.
That night, Xia Tian stayed home to practice. Whenever he exhausted his energy, the ancient Buddha's relic within his dantian replenished it. He continued training the Tianxing Jue late into the night without rest.
The next morning, Old Xu came to take Gao Fei away. Before he left, Xia Tian gave him the Qingyun Dagger and the mechanism hidden beneath the Level-2 killer's shoes.
With Zeng Rou's situation resolved, Xia Tian had nothing pressing to handle for the time being. The upcoming college entrance exams posed no difficulty for him; he didn't even need to review. Everything he studied seemed etched into his mind.
He had tested it—his memory had become photographic.
Xia Tian continued his cultivation without taking shortcuts. He knew that rushing his progress would only lead to harm.
You are me, my big apple.
"Cousin, what's wrong?"
"Don't forget you promised to treat the basketball club to dinner tonight."
"Any beautiful girls going?"
"They're all beautiful."
"Then I'm in."
"Remember, just tell them you're my boyfriend. Don't slip up."
"Oh, this task again."
After hanging up, Xia Tian resumed practicing. He didn't want to waste a moment. Having started later than others, he knew he had to make up for lost time through effort.
The necklace around his neck carried the hopes of his parents. Though now dull and ordinary-looking, it was their only keepsake.
After it healed his injuries, the spiritual energy within it had been exhausted. The central bead contained fragments of the Tongtian Scroll.
That afternoon, Yin Nie arrived.
"Today's the last day I'll train with you. I'm leaving Jianghai City tomorrow. Be careful of Liusha," Yin Nie said calmly.
"Thank you, Master, for everything you've taught me." Xia Tian spoke with deep gratitude. Without Yin Nie, he wouldn't have been able to learn his father's skills or survive his encounters with Liusha.
As usual, Xia Tian attacked while Yin Nie defended. Even after two hours, Xia Tian couldn't make Yin Nie move an inch.
Yin Nie left after that, and no one knew when they would meet again.
Xia Tian continued to practice on his own. There was still time before evening, and he didn't know how many people would attend the dinner—but as long as there were beautiful women, he didn't mind.
Three hours later, he stopped training, bathed in the forest pond, changed into clean clothes, and headed into the city. He rarely took the bus now, preferring to use the Manyun Fairy Step.
This time, Xue Chuan needed to apologize, so a casual restaurant wouldn't do. However, Huo Wen refused to go to a high-end one. In the end, they settled on a mid-range restaurant with private rooms and a pleasant atmosphere.
Xia Tian arrived early and wandered around while waiting.
"Xia Tian, I'm here!"
It was his cousin and Bing Xin.
"You're early," Ye Qingxue said.
"Perfect timing," Xia Tian replied.
"Let's go in. Sister Wen just called—she'll be here soon."
The three entered the private room.
A few minutes later, Tang Yan and Xue Chuan arrived. There weren't many guests this time. Ye Qingxue and Bing Xin represented the Art Department, Tang Yan and Xue Chuan came from the Basketball Department, and Xia Tian was a special case of his own.
When Xia Tian saw Tang Yan, his face lit up with anticipation.
Tang Yan immediately understood what he was thinking.
"Kiss your husband," she teased.
"Here I am," Xia Tian said dramatically.
"Qingxue, aren't you worried about him? He's always out flirting with other girls. Aren't you afraid he'll run off with one of them?" Tang Yan joked. The rivalry between her and Ye Qingxue had long been resolved; Tang Yan had come to admire Ye Qingxue's grace and composure after their last two competitions.
"I can't control him," Ye Qingxue replied flatly.
"My dear little wife, I really envy you," Xia Tian said with a grin.
"What are you envying me for?" Tang Yan asked.
"I envy you for being my dear little wife. Even I'm jealous," he said.
"Shameless!" Tang Yan turned away.
"See? Even your face is turning white," Xia Tian teased, flashing a smile.
"Hmph, I'm not talking to you," she said, pouting.
"What are you all chatting about so happily?"
The door opened, and Huo Wen walked in—but she wasn't alone. Two women followed her. When everyone saw them, they froze in surprise.
It was Yun Miao—the most beautiful girl at Jianghai University.
"Beautiful sister," Xia Tian said aloud. Outwardly, his eyes widened in admiration, but secretly, he activated his X-Ray eyes, trying to see through her clothes.
She had come too—and with Huo Wen, no less.