Strength

After a while, in Mei's house.

He decided it was time to test what kind of superpower Mei might have inherited from him. He needed to know the extent of her new abilities.

Lin Xiao went up to her and said, "Okay, Mei. Can you feel anything different in your body? Any strange sensations or instincts?"

Mei paused, closing her eyes again to focus inward. "I feel... stronger. And there's this strange sensation, like I can run for hours."

Lin Xiao's curiosity was piqued. "Can you try to demonstrate?"

Mei nodded and stood up, albeit shakily. She looked around the room, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Suddenly, she moved with surprising speed and agility, picking up a small pebble from the ground and throwing it accurately across the room into a jar.

Lin Xiao's eyes widened in amazement. "Is this what I look like when I run," Lin Xiao thought to himself. 

Mei looked at her hands in wonder. "I never thought I could do something like that."

"We'll keep testing," Lin Xiao said, excitement bubbling within him. "Let's see if you have any other abilities,"

He started with Photogenic Memory. He made a series of complex hand signs in rapid succession, then paused, watching Mei closely.

"Now, show me what you saw," Lin Xiao instructed.

Mei nodded and, to Lin Xiao's amazement, replicated the hand signs perfectly.

Her movements were smooth and accurate, a clear indication that she had inherited his photogenic memory.

Lin Xiao smiled, impressed. "Great! It looks like you have Photogenic Memory."

Next, he moved on to testing Memory Manipulation.

He called Xiao Bai over, the cat reluctantly leaving its comfortable spot to assist. "Xiao Bai, we need your help," Lin Xiao said. "Mei, I'm going to let you see some of Xiao Bai's memories. Focus on the cat and try to enter its mind."

Mei concentrated on Xiao Bai, her eyes narrowing in focus.

After a few moments, her expression changed, showing amazement and curiosity. She looked at Lin Xiao, her eyes wide.

"Is that what the Immortal world looks like?" she asked, bewildered. "I saw buildings made of glass and metal, people riding in metal boxes that move without horses, and strange lights everywhere."

Lin Xiao hesitated for a moment, unsure how to explain the modern world to her. He decided it was best to keep it simple. "Yes, it is. That's the Immortal world."

Mei looked hopeful. "Now that I have powers, can I go there?"

Lin Xiao thought quickly. "Maybe, if you earn enough merits by doing good deeds."

Mei nodded, determination in her eyes. "I will do my best to earn those merits."

....

Lin Xiao decided it was enough testing and made his way back to his 'house'.

As he walked, the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the village. He felt a sense of relief knowing that the day wasn't going to last for a month.

Reaching his humble abode, he laid down on his makeshift bed, a mixture of satisfaction and worry filling his mind.

While he was happy that Mei had healed and gained powers, a new concern gnawed at him.

If drinking his blood could grant superpowers, wouldn't that make him a prime target for organizations like the Dream Desire Palace? He knew he couldn't let anyone else drink his blood in the modern world.

The implications were too dangerous.

"What if I'm not the only one?" he thought. "What if other superpower users can pass on their abilities the same way?"

His mind raced, considering the potential consequences.

In the modern world, where the supernatural is kept hidden, the revelation of such a method could lead to chaos.

The power-hungry would stop at nothing to obtain such abilities, and the fragile balance between the superpowered and ordinary humans would shatter.

As he drifted off to sleep, he whispered to himself, "I will never let anyone drink my blood,"

Lin Xiao woke up and saw the moon still high in the sky.

He guessed that since the sun had set late, the moon might set late too. He knew he had slept for more than eight hours, yet it was still night.

Rising from his bed, he decided to check on Mei.

He found her in the training ground, struggling to shoot arrows with her one remaining hand.

The sight of her trying so hard despite her injury tugged at his heart. She was young, and losing a hand at such an age would undoubtedly have a profound mental impact.

Walking up to her, he gently suggested, "Why don't you try swords instead?"

Mei paused, lowering her bow, and looked at him with a mix of frustration and curiosity.

"I once heard a story about a warrior," Lin Xiao began, sitting beside her. "He lost his arm in a great battle, and many thought his life as a warrior was over. But he didn't give up. Instead of resigning himself to defeat, he found a way to adapt."1

Mei listened intently, her eyes reflecting a spark of hope.

"This warrior trained relentlessly, focusing on mastering the sword with his remaining hand. He learned to balance and wield his weapon in ways others couldn't. His determination and creativity made him an even more formidable fighter than before. People who once pitied him began to admire his strength and resilience."

Mei's expression softened as Lin Xiao continued, "It wasn't easy. There were countless days of frustration, pain, and doubt. But he pushed through because he believed in his own strength and refused to let his circumstances define him."

He placed a hand on her shoulder, looking into her eyes. "You have that same strength mentally, Mei. I can see it in you. Losing your hand doesn't mean you've lost your ability to fight or protect those you care about, It just means you have to find a new way to wield your power" 

Mei listened intently, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope. Lin Xiao smiled encouragingly. "You have superpowers now too, Mei. You can be better than anyone else, not despite your loss, but because of your strength and determination to overcome it."

Mei shook her head, her voice firm. "I want to rely on myself, Lin Li. What if one day I lose these powers? I need to be strong on my own."

Her words struck Lin Xiao deeply. He looked at her, seeing the truth and resilience in her eyes.

The idea echoed in his mind, resonating with his own fears. What if he lost the system one day? The thought hadn't seriously crossed his mind before. He had always relied on the system, but what if it vanished?