Chapter 25: Use your strength to challenge the opponent

-Three Days After the Fight with the Razor gang members / Xue Jing's home, in the gym-

[You practiced a breathing method. Fitness experience +16] 

[You practiced a breathing method. Fitness experience +16] 

[You practiced a...]

After seeing these prompts on the screen more than a dozen times, Xue Jing felt the various rhythms in his body as he breathed. He could sense the stretching of bones, the functioning of internal organs, and the contraction and expansion of muscles.

He stared at his arm in amazement. The muscles under his skin moved with his breathing, almost as if they had a life of their own.

He didn't know how long it had been, but at a crucial moment, Xue Jing felt a surge of heat spreading throughout his body, concentrating on his right arm in sync with his breathing rhythm.

He walked silently to the sandbag hung in the center of the room. He bent his knees slightly, placed his right hand behind his waist, and assumed a stance as if preparing to throw a straight punch.

Xue Jing took a deep breath and threw a straight punch.

"Bang!!"

Compared to his previous punches, this one wasn't especially fast or powerful. However, the 300-kilogram sandbag seemed to be hit by a car. At the point of impact, the entire sandbag bent like a shrimp and flew out, hitting the wall, and causing the whole room to shake.

[Conditions have been met. Activate the skill: Strength]

[Strength Lv1 (0/300)]

In an instant, the strength that had only been a flash of inspiration was quickly mastered by Xue Jing and became his instinct.

His eyes filled with joy.

He immediately used the breathing method again, and his internal organs followed his breathing, producing various rhythms that converted into kinetic energy, generating strength.

Xue Jing directed the strength to his right foot. He raised his foot and stomped down.

Crack —

The floor shook slightly, with the tile being cracked, and the reinforced concrete beneath it also showing spider web cracks cracks.

[Hitting the floor. Strength Experience +1]

Xue Jing's mouth twitched.

It was as if he had a hammer in his hand but ended up using the floor as the nail.

He hoped his mother wouldn't notice when she came back.

Maomao, who was squatting beside him, tilted her head with a look of disbelief on her little face.

"...You said you just started learning breathing methods three days ago?"

"Yes," Xue Jing replied while fixing the sandbag that had just been knocked out of place by his punch.

"You've never been exposed to martial arts before?" Maomao's tail swished.

"How many times do you need to ask?" Xue Jing said a bit helplessly.

"I've mentioned it before; I have incredible talent."

He said this without missing a beat.

Maomao rolled her eyes. "Yes, you're talented, but it's too early to claim invincibility. There are some geniuses who can master strength as soon as they learn a breathing method."

"Some big companies even use advanced technology to create such 'geniuses.'"

"The world is vast; you're just a bit talented. Don't get carried away."

Ning Fengwan gave a serious warning.

Xue Jing smiled, walked over, and pinched the cat's little face. "I know."

"Don't touch me, and call me master," Maomao said coolly.

"Okay, Master Xiaowan." Xue Jing rubbed the cat's head affectionately.

Ning Fengwan only refuted out of habit. She had grown accustomed to Xue Jing's casual attitude over the past three days.

"However, since you have such talent and have already practiced strength, we need to reconsider how you enter the Canglong Dojo..."

Maomao thought for a moment and then said,

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Xue Jing asked in confusion.

The cat leaped onto Xue Jing's shoulder and settled there. Licking its paw, it said,

"If you got in purely because of my connections, you'd be seen as just a 'relative,' and you'd likely be looked down upon and treated differently."

"Then how are we going to get in, Teacher Wan?" Xue Jing couldn't resist joking when he saw Maomao's adult-like demeanor, which was a bit endearing. She was quite pleased with the title of "teacher." The cat's tail wagged slightly, and a hint of pride appeared on its little face.

"Of course, it's a rule of the underworld and it's to: challenge the master!"

Elsewhere, at the dock in Nancheng District.

A strong old man in a black short coat, with gray hair and a stern face, walked slowly into a warehouse. His body was as sturdy as a thousand-year-old pine tree, and his hands were clasped behind his back.

Inside the warehouse, Duan Kaiping and Yunye had been waiting. When Duan Kaiping saw the old man enter, his face grew serious. He knelt in front of him, supported himself with his hands, and kowtowed respectfully.

"Kaiping meets the teacher. I wish the teacher good fortune as vast as the sea and longevity as long as the sky!"

Yunye, observing this, sneered disdainfully.

The old man, Jiao Hongyuan, the head of the Golden Wind Dojo, remained impassive. He told Duan Kaiping calmly, "Stand up."

He then turned to Yunye and asked, "Where are the items?"

Yunye, pointing to a three-meter-high container in the warehouse, replied, "I brought them and put them inside, knowing you'd be back today."

"Then our transaction with Kant Company is complete. Send the remaining money to—"

Before he could finish, Jiao Hongyuan cut him off, his tone unchanging "Complete?"

"You seem to have forgotten that Kant Company required confidentiality. How do you handle things? Just barge in without care?"

"Now that the Sixth Agency is investigating, do you realize the trouble this has caused?"

Yunye sneered, "What do you think?"

Jiao Hongyuan smiled and said, "I've heard the 'Tianxu Insect Mother' can produce special insect species based on what it's fed. I'm curious, is that true?"

Yunye frowned and, without hesitation, raised his left hand, aiming at Jiao Hongyuan and his companions.

But as soon as he raised his arm, Jiao Hongyuan's powerful figure vanished from sight.

Duan Kaiping didn't react in time. In the blink of an eye, Jiao Hongyuan reappeared behind Yunye, shaking off blood from his right hand.

"Golden Wind... White Rainbow Sword..." Yunye gasped out in a hoarse voice. His head and left hand fell to the ground, leaving his headless body standing. The cut on his neck and arm was clean as if struck by an exceptionally sharp blade.

"Master... what is this?" Duan Kaiping asked, visibly frightened.

"These desperate criminals are too crude in their methods. They're fortunate to die by my hand," Jiao Hongyuan said calmly.

"Master, what about the others?" Duan Kaiping asked worriedly.

"We'll deal with them as well. Kant Company has already taken care of it."

Jiao Hongyuan looked at the three-meter-high container, and though it might have been an illusion, there seemed to be a faint, beast-like breathing sound coming from inside.

"Kaiping, where are the items I asked you to prepare?"

Duan Kaiping replied respectfully, "They're ready. All the cockroaches are bred, and not purchased. The people are also prepared, all officially listed as dead or missing..."

Jiao Hongyuan nodded in satisfaction. "Prepare more. Once the attention from above shifts away from Qingcheng, we can start our plans."

"Yes," Duan Kaiping answered.

"By the way, Master, didn't the junior brother return with you?"

"He's still participating in the selection competition in Fengcheng. He needs to play a few more games..."

In front of a building in Dongcheng District.

Xue Jing, dressed in casual activity clothes, shaded his eyes from the midday sun and looked up at the top of the building.

"The Hidden Dragon Dojo is on the 17th floor. Let's go!"

The cat, perched on Xue Jing's shoulder, pointed upwards and urged him on.

...

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