Fang Cheng originally wanted to seize this opportunity to show off in the kitchen and practice his Cooking Skill. However, as soon as he got up, Ma Jianguo pulled him back, insisting that he stay and chat. Once the conversation started, it couldn’t be stopped, ranging from martial arts origins to health tips, and from health tips to discussions about news on medical corruption. Finally, the topic inevitably drifted toward the direction that all elders are keen on. "Ah Cheng, you’re over twenty now, aren’t you? Do you have a girlfriend?" Once this topic was broached, even Professor Wu Dewang passing by perked up his ears and sidled over with a smile, looking like a scout ready to gather intel. Height, weight, birth date, family situation... The two old men sang in harmony, asking with such detail. They were almost ready to whip out their phones and show pictures of all the eligible girls in their families, preparing for a grand matchmaking event. Fang Cheng found himself a bit bewildered by the sudden enthusiasm and could only reluctantly respond with a few words. Then he quickly shifted the topic: "Uncle Ma, why haven’t I seen Donghe?" "Isn’t he taking the exam for the Special Search Team and preparing for the re-test? At such a critical time, he doesn’t even come home for lunch?" Speaking of his son, Ma Jianguo’s expression became complicated, a mix of frustration and concern. "Don’t mention that brat!" Ma Jianguo snorted, muttering: "Donghe didn’t do very well in the preliminary test, so I shut him in a cave to reflect on his actions." The so-called "confinement" in his words is actually an ancestral Hard Practice Method of the Ma Family. Cultivators must isolate themselves from the world, abstaining from food and water, relying solely on their willpower and Qi Gong Cultivation to combat hunger and loneliness. This method is said to greatly stimulate human potential in extreme conditions, forcibly stealing a trace of life force from heaven and earth. It was a method Fang Cheng had once attempted as per Ma Jianguo’s theory, the Stealing Heavenly Secret Method. Back then, he had dived deep into the ocean trench on Yong’an Island, holding his breath and meditating, thus unlocking the Qi Gong Skill, greatly enhancing his physical attributes. However, this method carries extreme risks and the torture it inflicts on mental and physical states is extraordinary. Slight carelessness could lead to deviation. As Ma Jianguo spoke, he looked at Fang Cheng with some interest. He thought that with Fang Cheng’s rare aptitude, using the Ma Family’s unique cultivation method might allow him to reach even greater heights. Fang Cheng quickly shook his head in refusal. Being secluded for hard practice is okay, but enduring hunger and not eating is absolutely impossible. He silently shed a tear of sympathy for Ma Donghe, starving in the cave far away. The mention of these concerns made Ma Jianguo sigh, his gaze drifted outside the courtyard, and his words were filled with the complex emotions of a father. "Our Ma Family has just this one descendant, yet he looks nothing like me and still hasn’t made anything of himself." "You should know, his great-grandfather was a Martial Arts Grandmaster renowned in Xia Country, though not as dazzling as Senior Li, his Qi Gong Cultivation had already reached a respectable level, touching upon the ’True Essence Casting Cauldron’ threshold." "Back in the day, the President valued him greatly, not only making him a personal bodyguard but also appointing him as the first curator of the National Martial Arts Hall." At this point, he lifted his teacup and took a sip: "Ha, when it comes to seniority, those investigators from the Special Search Team would have to respectfully call our Ma Family members their ancestors." Follow current novels on novel-fire.ɴet Ma Jianguo’s eyes revealed a sense of nostalgia, full of pride for his family’s past glory. However, when his thoughts returned to the present, his tone became a bit dispirited. "Originally, I really didn’t want my son to go to a place like the Special Search Team, which is so full of filth and chaos." "Nowadays, the Special Search Team is no longer the same as before; people are restless, rules are broken, and there’s hardly any warrior spirit left." "It’s just... I’m forced by circumstances, there’s no alternative." He shook his head, his gaze returning to Fang Cheng, almost overflowing with admiration and fondness. "Speaking of which, if that brat Donghe had half of your talent, no, even a third, I wouldn’t have to worry so much in my old age." The old man said, patting Fang Cheng’s shoulder with genuine emotion in his tone: "Ah Cheng, if only you were my grandson! If that were the case, I’d have no regrets in this life..." Fang Cheng maintained an awkward yet polite smile on his face. Ma Donghe is your son, while I become your grandson? This generation hierarchy is all messed up. "Ah Cheng, about the Visualization Method we talked about before..." Ma Jianguo wanted to continue babbling, but stopped midway. His brows furrowed, his expression shifted slightly, as if sensing something. "That brat, what trouble has he caused again?" After a low curse, a look of urgency appeared on Ma Jianguo’s face. "I can’t, I must go see!" Before finishing his sentence, he suddenly stood up and hurriedly rushed out of the courtyard, heading straight for the back mountain of the village. Judging by his posture, it seems something has gone wrong in the place where Ma Donghe is secluded. Watching Ma Jianguo’s departure, Fang Cheng withdrew his gaze, finally breathing a long sigh of relief. Then he stood up, stretching his somewhat stiff body. In the courtyard, Wu Dewang and several old men gathered around the water reservoir, enthusiastically preparing the freshly slaughtered chickens and fish for a lavish feast. Discussions and laughter rang out from time to time.