"Especially in today’s world, where mutant phenomena are spreading more widely, without them, many things simply cannot be handled, and the existing social order would be even more fragile than you imagine." "The only thing the government can do is to tightly control the source and use of biochemical agents, and use the most stringent means to screen and constrain Special Search Team personnel." At this point, Dong Yunchuan’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Other countries proclaim adherence to international agreements, but behind the scenes, who isn’t secretly conducting their own supernatural human experiments?" "This race never had a referee from the start, and there is no end point either." "If we do nothing, it means falling behind. Falling behind means being at the mercy of others in future conflicts." "So, all of this is a... necessary compromise." As the words fell, the office sank into a long silence. Only the wall clock continued to stubbornly tick. Fang Cheng’s expression remained calm, but his inner heart was not at peace. He understood this ’compromise.’ In the face of survival, ideals and morality sometimes seem extremely pale. Whether it’s a state or an individual, it’s the same. But he also knew very well that any strength gained through external forces harbored fatal hidden dangers. When the source of strength doesn’t belong to oneself, it’s equivalent to putting one’s life in someone else’s hands. As if sensing the overly heavy atmosphere, Dong Yunchuan adjusted his sitting posture and shifted the topic. "Even within the Special Search Team, not everyone supports this approach. Many still insist on practicing their own traditional martial arts methods." In his words, his expression bore a hint of a Martial Artist’s pride. "Ah Cheng, you’ve been in the Martial Arts Research Association for about half a year now, and you should feel that the path we want to take is completely different from the mainstream of the Special Search Team." "We believe that the power to combat monsters is actually hidden in the human body." "The nourishing life technique and exercise method passed down by the sages are the keys to unlocking this treasure trove." "What we pursue is not relying on any surgical or drug-stimulating methods, not forcing growth." "But through daily grinding and one’s own continual refinement, ultimately achieving the supreme state of physical and spiritual transformation in sync." Dong Yunchuan spread out his right hand and placed it on the coffee table. It was a hand that didn’t look like it belonged to a scholar, with robust fingers and distinct joints. The palm and finger pads seemed fair but were covered with fine calluses that had melded into the skin, with lines deep as if carved by a knife. This hand could write beautiful prose with a pen or instantly unleash incredible strength. "Just like the Eight Trigrams Palm I practiced since childhood, it’s not merely a killing technique but a Kung Fu through ’walking the circle,’ smoothing out an agitated disposition, and seeking spiritual harmony and understanding." "If we can get inspired from martial arts in the future and find a correct, less harmful path, where everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential..." At this point, Dong Yunchuan’s eyes sparkled with nearly idealistic radiance. "Perhaps, it can remove many of the injustices in the current system, sweeping away the darkness hidden beneath social order..." Before he finished, he suddenly stopped, seemingly realizing his loss of composure, and smiled self-deprecatingly. "When people get old, they love to talk about unrealistic nonsense." Dong Yunchuan brought the topic back, looking at Fang Cheng with great interest. "Ah Cheng, speaking of which, that night at Wangjiang Building, I saw your swift response in dealing with those two assassins." "How is the Qigong you’ve been practicing with Senior Brother Ma coming along now?" Upon hearing this, Fang Cheng pondered for a moment. His gaze shifted to the teapot on the coffee table, which had cooled slightly. Then, he extended his right hand, gently placing his broad palm on the side of the teapot. There was no astonishing momentum, no dazzling light. Yet at that moment, the temperature in the office suddenly rose a little. Dong Yunchuan’s eyes widened sharply. He clearly saw a faint reddish glow, like water waves, floating and rippling from Fang Cheng’s palm. Then, wisps of white steam began to rise up from the spout and seams of the teapot lid. Next came faint ’gurgle’ sounds from inside the pot. The sounds grew from small to loud, increasingly dense. In just over ten seconds, the cooled tea within the pot was boiling vigorously again under his palm. Throughout the process, Fang Cheng’s expression remained composed, his breathing steady. There was no sweating or exposed veins as Dong Yunchuan had exhibited in the Martial Arts Research Association during Qigong demonstrations in the past. It seemed he was merely doing the simplest thing. Dong Yunchuan was so astonished that he was unable to speak, his finger pointing at Fang Cheng, his lips moving, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time. This is a martial arts prodigy that emerges only once in a century! He himself took forty years of hard work, getting up at dawn every day, uninterrupted by seasons, to reach the level of ’True Qi Emission, Boiling Water in the Palm.’ But Fang Cheng, from joining the Martial Arts Research Association and learning the true Qigong Heart Method, has only taken less than half a year. Even if he practiced breathing and exercised consistently every day, it’s still a level close to demonic genius! "What’s your current level?" Dong Yunchuan finally found his voice and couldn’t help but ask, his tone tinged with a trace of trembling. Fang Cheng withdrew his hand, feeling the warm flow inside him like a river, and calmly answered: "I don’t know specifically; it just feels like my body is several times stronger after practicing Qigong." Dong Yunchuan repeated ’good’ three times, his face becoming even more flushed with excitement. He excitedly stood up from the sofa, pacing back and forth in the office. "I’ll contact Senior Brother Ma right away! We must hold another meeting this weekend with everyone in our association!" Dong Yuanchuan knew that with his shallow level of cultivation, he had no qualification to guide a genius like Fang Cheng. Seeing him so excited, Fang Cheng’s gaze flickered slightly and then he spoke. Dong Yunchuan waved his hand, interrupting him: "At times , why call me Dean Dong? According to seniority, you should call me Uncle Dong." Fang Cheng smoothly followed along, saying: "I want to ask, when Qigong is practiced to a certain level of enhancement, would the increased body activity be detected as a mutant during a routine blood test?" This was a crucial question. It concerned how Fang Cheng would find a reason to disguise his identity if exposed to the Special Search Team’s scrutiny in the future. Hearing this, Dong Yunchuan paused. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel-fire.ɴet After his excitement subsided, he sat back on the sofa, delving into thought. "This question... you hit the point." "According to my experience, during annual medical examinations, the RC cell count tested is slightly higher than that of ordinary people, but just slightly, completely within a reasonable range and won’t attract additional attention from the Special Search Team." "However, in your current situation..." He glanced at the teapot still emitting steam, showing a hesitant expression: "I truly don’t know." Dong Yunchuan frowned, pondering for a moment, then suddenly seemed to recall something and said: "However, in the history of the Special Search Team, there once was a legendary figure who reached an extremely high level through our path of martial arts and Qi practice." On hearing this, Fang Cheng’s gaze sharpened. Dong Yunchuan’s face revealed a mix of reverence and yearning. Seeing Fang Cheng’s somewhat puzzled expression at this name, Dong Yunchuan explained: "Li Guizhen was the first commander of the Special Search Team, and was one of the strongest Martial Artists in the recorded history of Shen Zhou." "This person is very mysterious. If he’s still alive, he would probably be over a hundred years old, older than the Great Xia Republic’s founding up to now."